Robot transport method with transportation container

ABSTRACT

A method for transporting a plurality of articles with a transportation container that can be carried in a transport container of one of a plurality of robots. The plurality of articles is placed in the transportation container. The transportation container is placed in a pickup location at a first location. A robot is navigated to the first location and the transportation container is autonomously moved from the pickup location to the transport container of the robot. The robot is navigated over an outdoor transportation network to a second location and the transportation container is autonomously moved from the transport container to a recipient location at the second location.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 62/505,801 filed May 12, 2017, U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 62/534,674 filed Jul. 19, 2017 and U.S. provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 62/555,970 filed Sep. 8, 2017, the entirecontent of each of which is incorporated herein by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a delivery method and system and, moreparticularly, to a delivery method and system using a robot.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Methods and systems have been provided for delivering articles overroads and sidewalks to a location. Such systems have used wheeledvehicles. Recently disclosed systems utilize mixed autonomous wheeledvehicles.

What is needed is a method, system and robot that can permit autonomousdelivery of articles, including goods and products, over a variety ofoutdoor transportation networks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of a robot delivery system ofthe present invention for use on an outdoor land transportation networkthat can include roads, bike paths and sidewalks.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a container assemblyor array for use in the robot delivery system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a stationary containerfor use in the robot delivery system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the robot delivery system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a robot for use in therobot delivery system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the robot of FIG. 5 taken along the line6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a wheel assemblyof the robot of FIG. 5

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the wheel assembly of FIG. 7 taken alongthe line 7-7 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view, similar to FIG. 8, with the front and rearwheels of the wheel assembly in a second position.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the wheel assembly of FIG. 7, takenalong the line 10-10 of FIG. 8, in a third position.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the wheel assembly of FIG. 7,similar to FIG. 10 but illustrating the wheel assembly in a fourthposition.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a chassis of therobot of FIG. 5 in a first position relative to the wheel assemblies ofthe robot.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a portion of the chassis of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the chassis of FIG. 12 in a secondposition relative to the wheel assemblies.

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the chassis and wheel assembliesof FIG. 12 taken along the line 15-15 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the chassis of FIG. 12 in a thirdposition relative to the wheel assemblies.

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the chassis of FIG. 12 in a fourthposition relative to the wheel assemblies.

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the chassis of FIG. 12 in a fifthposition relative to the wheel assemblies.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the chassis and wheel assemblies ofFIG. 12, in the second position of FIG. 14, with at least one containercarried thereby.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the chassis, wheel assemblies and atleast one container of FIG. 19 in a sixth position.

FIG. 21 is an end elevational view of the chassis, wheel assemblies andat least one container of FIG. 19 taken along the line 21-21 of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of some of theelectronics and electromechanical components of the robot of FIG. 5.

FIG. 23 is a side elevational view, partially cut away, of a containerfor use in the robot delivery system of FIG. 1 with its door closed.

FIG. 24 is a cross sectional plan view, partially cut away, of thecontainer of FIG. 23 taken along the line 24-24 of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is an end elevational view of the container of FIG. 23 takenalong the line 25-25 of FIG. 23 but with the door fully opened.

FIG. 26 is a side elevational view, partially cut away and similar toFIG. 23, of another embodiment of a container for use in the robotdelivery system of FIG. 1 with its door closed.

FIG. 27 is a cross sectional plan view, partially cut away and similarto FIG. 24, of the container of FIG. 26 taken along the line 27-27 ofFIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the electronics ofthe container of FIG. 23.

FIG. 29 is a side cross sectional view of one embodiment of a containerassembly for use with the robot of FIG. 5.

FIG. 30 is an illustration of one step of using a mobile computingdevice to identify a pickup or delivery location of a robot of the robotdelivery system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 31 is an illustration of a pickup or delivery location indicated onthe display of a mobile computing device, in furtherance of the step ofFIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a side elevational view of one step of one method of therobot of FIG. 5, partially cut away, picking up an article from theground.

FIG. 33 is a side elevation view of another step of one method of therobot of FIG. 5, partially cut away, picking up an article from theground.

FIG. 34 is one embodiment of a method for transferring an articlebetween the robot of FIG. 5 and a stationary container.

FIG. 35 is one embodiment of a method for transferring an articlebetween the robot of FIG. 5 and another embodiment of a stationarycontainer for use in the robot delivery system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 36 is one embodiment of a method for transferring an article from arobot of FIG. 5 to a delivery location.

FIG. 37 is one embodiment of a method for transferring an articlebetween a robot of FIG. 5 to an article transport mechanism.

FIG. 38 is one embodiment of a method for transferring an articlebetween a robot of the robot delivery system of FIG. 1 and an articletransport mechanism.

FIG. 39 is a one embodiment of a method for transferring an article froma first robot of FIG. 5 to a second robot of FIG. 5.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a robot for usein the robot delivery system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 41 is one embodiment of a method for transferring an articlebetween the robot of FIG. 40 and the robot of FIG. 5.

FIG. 42 is an illustration of another pickup or delivery locationindicated on the display of a mobile computing device, for example infurtherance of the step of FIG. 30.

FIG. 43 is one embodiment of a method for delivering an article from arobot of FIG. 5 to a delivery location, for example the locationdesignated in FIG. 42.

FIG. 44 is an illustration of a further pickup or delivery locationindicated on the display of a mobile computing device, for example infurtherance of the step of FIG. 30.

FIG. 45 is one embodiment of a method for delivering an article from arobot of FIG. 5 to a delivery location, for example the locationdesignated in FIG. 44.

FIG. 46 is an illustration of yet another pickup or delivery locationindicated on the display of a mobile computing device, for example infurtherance of the step of FIG. 30.

FIG. 47 is one embodiment of a method for delivering an article from arobot of FIG. 5 to a delivery location, for example the locationdesignated in FIG. 46.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A method and system 113 for delivering articles, objects, products orgoods from one location to another location using a robot 114 isprovided. The terms articles, objects, products or goods may be usedinterchangeably herein. The method can optionally be computerimplemented, either partially or totally. The robot 114 can optionallybe remotely controlled, semiautonomous or mixed autonomous. The robotcan optionally be one or a plurality of robots, for example one of aplurality of identical robots. The robot 114 can have legs, wheels,tracks or any combination of the foregoing. The robot can optionally bea biped, two wheels, three wheels, four wheels or any combination of theforegoing. In any embodiment, the robot 114 can optionally be adriverless robot, which can be referred to as driverless vehicle orrobot, an autonomous vehicle or robot, an autonomous wheeled vehicle orrobot, a driverless biped, an autonomous biped or any combination ofsuch terms. The system 113 may be referred to as a wheeled vehicle orrobotic delivery system, a driverless vehicle or robotic deliverysystem, an autonomous vehicle or robotic delivery system, a driverlessor autonomous biped delivery system or any combination of the foregoing.The method and system can optionally be used on an outdoor landtransportation network, which can include roads, bike paths, sidewalks,alleys, paths, crosswalks, any route on which a wheeled vehicle cantravel, any route on which a biped can travel or any combination of theforegoing. The network 101 can be referred to as an outdoor network, andoutdoor transportation network, a land transportation network or atransportation network. Transportation network 101 can optionallyinclude roads 102, bike paths 103, sidewalks 104, alleys 106, crosswalks107 and walking paths 108 (see FIG. 1). The roads 102 can be of anysuitable type, including main thoroughfares and side streets, whether ina city, suburb, rural or any other setting. The bike paths 103 can be inany suitable location, including alongside a road or separate ordistinct from a road. In any embodiment, network 101 can optionallyinclude a grid 109 of roads 102. In any embodiment, the network 101provides access to a plurality of buildings 111. In any embodiment, themethod and system can optionally be used indoors, for example in awarehouse, factory, store, distribution center or any other buildingcontaining articles, products or goods. In any embodiment, the methodand system can optionally be used both indoors and on an outdoor landtransportation network, including any of those discussed above.

In any embodiment of the system of the invention, a system 113 canoptionally be provided that can include a robot 114 of any suitabletype, including any of the vehicles or robots disclosed herein. System113 can optionally include a fleet of vehicles or other robots, forexample a fleet of standardized vehicles or other robots that are eachsubstantially identical or a fleet of a plurality of sub fleets ofstandardized vehicles or other robots in which each vehicle or otherrobot in a sub fleet is substantially identical. System 113 canoptionally include a fleet of standardized vehicles or other robots thatare not substantially identical or a fleet of a plurality of sub fleetsof standardized vehicles or other robots that are not substantiallyidentical. In any embodiment, vehicle or other type or robot 114 of thefleet can optionally be configured or adapted to travel on thetransportation network 101, and has a size, shape and functionality topermit it to travel on the desired transportation network. In anyembodiment, the vehicle or other robot can optionally be configured totravel on at least roads, bike paths and sidewalks. When traveling onroads, the vehicle or other robot can travel along the side of the road,along the center of the road or in any lane of the road. In anyembodiment, the vehicle or other robot can optionally be configured totravel or move about in a building, including a warehouse, factory,store, distribution center or any other building containing articles,products or goods, and has a size, shape and functionality to permit itto travel in a building. In any embodiment, the vehicle or other robotcan optionally be configured to travel on any suitable transportationnetwork, including any of those disclosed herein, and in a building ofany suitable type, and has a size, shape and functionality to permitsuch travel and movement. In any embodiment, the vehicle or other robotcan optionally be free of a human driver compartment, that is thevehicle or other robot does not include a human driver compartment. Itis appreciated that a robot 114 can optionally be provided to travel onany type of transportation network, and for example scaled accordingly.

In any embodiment, the vehicle or other robot 114 can travel, partiallyautonomously, fully autonomously or otherwise, on the transportationnetwork for carrying or transporting one or more articles, which canalso be referred to as products or goods, from a first location to asecond location. In any embodiment, the vehicle or other robot can pickup an article at the first location and deliver the article to thesecond location. In any embodiment, the vehicle or other robot can pickup a plurality of articles at the first location and deliver theplurality of articles to a second location or to a respective pluralityof second locations. In any embodiment, the pickup of one or morearticles by the vehicle or other robot can optionally be accomplishedwithout human assistance, for example autonomously. In any embodiment,the delivery of one or more articles by the vehicle or other robot canoptionally be accomplished without human assistance, for exampleautonomously. In any embodiment, the pickup and delivery of one or morearticles by the vehicle or other robot can optionally be autonomous, forexample accomplished without human assistance. As used herein, the termsautonomous and without human assistance, which can also be referred toas free of human assistance, can mean without the assistance of a humanat the location of pickup or delivery and without the assistance of ahuman remote of the location of pickup or delivery for controlling anyaspect of the pickup or delivery including any movement or other controlof the vehicle or other robot. As used herein, the terms autonomous andwithout human assistance can mean under the control of non-humanprocessing equipment or computing devices. The delivery of an article toa location can optionally include the pickup of the article by a firstvehicle or other robot and the delivery of the article by a secondvehicle or other robot. The transfer of the article between the firstvehicle or other robot and the second vehicle or other robot can occurdirectly, for example directly from the first vehicle or other robot tothe second vehicle or other robot, or indirectly. Such indirect transferof the article can optionally include by any number of additionalvehicles or robots, by the delivery of the article to an intermediatelocation by one vehicle or other robot and the pickup of the article atthe intermediate location by another vehicle or other robot, or anycombination of the foregoing.

The pickup location can be of any suitable type, and can optionallyinclude the location of a deliveror, a courier, a vendor or a store, alocation at which an article or product of a vendor or store is located,a warehouse, an autonomous or any other type of vehicle or robot, anautonomous or any other type of truck or any combination the foregoing.The drop off, recipient or delivery location can be of any suitabletype, and can optionally include the location of a deliveree, a courier,a user, a vendee or a purchaser, a location in which an article orproduct of a vendee or purchaser is located, a warehouse, an autonomousor any other type of vehicle or robot, and autonomous or any other typeof truck or any combination the foregoing.

System 113 can optionally include a container of any suitable type forhousing the article at the pickup location, at the drop off, recipientor other delivery location, at an intermediate location, any locationbetween the pickup location and such delivery location, during transportbetween locations, any other location on or along transportation network101 or any combination of the foregoing. When a container is provided ata location, the pickup location, such delivery location or anyintermediate location can optionally be inside the container. Thecontainer can be referred to as a compartment, receptacle or box. In anyembodiment, a container 115 can optionally be provided that has aninterior, for example a cavity, accessible by at least one opening. Thecontainer can optionally be referred to as a closeable container, andcan optionally include a door at the opening which can optionally beopened and closed for selectively accessing the interior of thecontainer. The opening and door can be at any location on the container115, for example at the top or on a side of the container. In anyembodiment, the container can optionally include an opening and door onthe side of the container, for example at one end of the container. Inany embodiment, the container can optionally be a lockable container,and can optionally include a suitable lockable door. Such a lockablecontainer can be referred to as a tamperproof container.

In any embodiment of system 113, the size and shape of the container 115can optionally be standardized throughout the system. In any embodimentof system 113, a plurality of classes of containers can optionally beused, with each class of container having a standardized size and shape.

The robot can optionally include a mechanism, assembly, apparatus ordevice of any suitable type, which can optionally be carried by thecontainer, for removing or assisting in the removal of the contents ofthe container, for moving articles between containers, for placing ormoving or assisting in the placement or movement of articles into thecontainer or any combination the foregoing. In any embodiment, one ormore of the containers of the system 113 can optionally include suchmechanisms. The mechanism, which can be referred to as a robotmechanism, a vehicle mechanism, a pickup mechanism, a recipientmechanism, a transport mechanism, an article transport mechanism, aremoval mechanism, a translation mechanism, a delivery mechanism, a dropoff mechanism, a loading mechanism, a receiving mechanism, a retrievalmechanism, an unloading mechanism or any combination of such terms, canoptionally include a crane, a pick up or other arm, a scoop, a shovel, apulley, a claw, a magnet, a conveyor, a belt, rollers, balls, a movablesurface, a movable wall, a slide, a grasping device or any combinationthe foregoing. Articles can optionally be moved into a container, out ofthe container or both from the top of the container, from the side ofthe container, from the bottom the container or any combination theforegoing by the mechanism or otherwise. The mechanism can optionally beat least partially disposed in the container. In any embodiment, themechanism can optionally be carried inside the container, for example soas to be part of the container. In any embodiment, the mechanism canoptionally be a conveyor mechanism or system of any suitable type thatmoves articles from one location to another, for example along or acrossa substantially planar surface, which can optionally include belts,rollers, balls, a movable surface or any combination the foregoing.

In any embodiment, robot 114 can optionally include a plurality ofcontainers 115. In any embodiment, the plurality of containers 115 canoptionally be arranged in a grid or array on at least one side of therobot 114, for example either or both sides of the robot, the rear endof the robot, the front end of the robot or any combination theforegoing. In any embodiment, each of the containers 115 has an openingaccessible from at least such side of the robot 114. In any embodiment,the openings of each of the containers 115 on a side of the robot 114can optionally be flush with the side of the robot. In any embodiment,each of the containers 115 has a self-contained transport mechanism fordelivering articles to such side of the robot 114.

In any embodiment, a plurality of containers 115 can optionally beprovided and arranged in a grid or array with the opening of each of thecontainers accessible from one planar face or side of the array. In anyembodiment, each of the containers 115 has a self-contained transportmechanism for delivering articles to such face or side of the array.

In any embodiment, at least one container 115 can optionally be referredto as a pickup container 116, and for example be provided at thelocation where the article is picked up by the robot 114. In anyembodiment, at least one container 115 can optionally be referred to asa drop off or recipient container 117, and for example be provided atthe location where the article is delivered by the robot 114 forreceiving the article. One or both of the pickup container 116 and therecipient container 117 can optionally be a stationary container, forexample secured to any suitable support such as a mailbox, a building,an exterior of a building, on a wall of a building or into the wall of abuilding. In any embodiment, robot 114 can pick up the article frompickup container 116 without human assistance. In any embodiment, therobot 114 can deliver the article to recipient container 117 withouthuman assistance. The pickup container 116 can optionally be associatedwith a deliveror 118 of the article and can optionally be located at thedeliveror's location, nearby the deliveror's location, rented or leasedto the deliveror, assigned to the deliveror or otherwise associated withthe deliveror 118. In any embodiment, the deliveror 118 can optionallybe a vendor or seller of the article. The recipient container 117 canoptionally be associated with a deliveree 119 of the article or user ofsystem 113, and can optionally be located at the deliveree or user'slocation, nearby the deliveree or user's location, rented or leased todo the deliveree or user, assigned to the deliveree or user or otherwiseassociated with the deliveree or user. A pickup container canadditionally be a recipient container, and the recipient container canadditionally be a pickup container. In any embodiment, the deliveree oruser 119 can optionally be a vendee or purchaser of the article, whichcan optionally be a product. The article being transported, which canoptionally include article 121, can optionally be a single article, aplurality of articles, a group of articles, a purchase order, a deliveryorder or any combination of the foregoing.

In any embodiment, a plurality of containers 115 can optionally begrouped together in an assembly or array 126, for example for permittinga plurality of pickups or deliveries at a location (see FIG. 2). In anyembodiment, assembly 126 can optionally include a housing 127, which canserve as a framework or support structure for the plurality ofcontainers 115. An assembly 126 of containers 115 may be particularlysuitable at a location associated with a deliveror 118 of goods orproducts, for example a store. An assembly 126 of containers 115 may beparticularly suitable at a location associated with a plurality ofdeliverees 119, for example in front of a multitenant building, in acrowded neighborhood, along the street in a city, at a school, at anoffice building or any other building in which a plurality of peoplework or reside. The containers 115 can optionally be arranged in housing127 in an array, for example in rows or columns, with at least onesurface of each container 115 accessible from the exterior of thehousing 127 for accessing the interior of each container 115. In anyembodiment, a plurality of containers 115 can optionally be arranged ina grid of at least one row, at least one column or both, and each haveone end accessible at a side surface 128 of the housing 127 foraccessing the interior of the container 115, for example by means of anopening in the container. In any embodiment, the side surface 128 canoptionally be at the front of the housing 127 and a plurality ofrespective container openings can optionally be accessible at the frontof the housing.

In any embodiment of a recipient container 117, suitable for example foruse in a suburban or rural setting, a single container 115 canoptionally be mounted to a post 131 below a mailbox 132 carried by thepost 131 (see FIG. 3). In any embodiment, the container 115 canoptionally be spaced above the ground at any location. At least onesurface of the container 115 can optionally be accessible for accessingthe interior of the container, for example by means of an opening in thecontainer. In any embodiment, at least one end of the container 115 canoptionally be accessible and parallel to the opening of the mailbox 132.

System 113 can optionally include at least one computer configured tocontrol all or parts of the system. The at least one computer canoptionally be programmed with firmware, software or both to control allor parts of the system. In any embodiment, the at least one computer hascomputer-executable instructions stored in a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium to control all or parts of the system.The at least one computer can navigate robot 114 over the transportationnetwork 101 from a first location to a second location as at least partof the process for delivering an article, can control all operations ofthe robot 114, which can include a pickup of the article and a deliveryof the article by the robot, can be configured to receive one or moreinputs from one or more sensors carried by the robot as part of suchnavigation, can receive a request to pick up an article, deliver anarticle or both, can be configured to receive one or more inputs fromone or more sensors carried by the robot to map the terrain encounteredby the robot throughout all or part of the delivery process, can includea computing device associated with the deliveror 118, can include acomputing device associated with the deliveree 119, can include acomputing device carried by the robot 114, can include a computingdevice associated with a pickup container, a drop off container or both,can include one or more backend servers or other computing devicesremote of the robot 114, deliveror 118, deliveree 119 and any containerof system 113, which can be referred to as cloud computers orcloud-based computers, for assisting in or accomplishing any of theforegoing, or any combination of the foregoing. In any embodiment, theat least one computer can optionally include a network of computingdevices, which can be referred to as a computer network 136.

In any embodiment, the computer network 136 contains an identificationand address for each container 115 of the system 113. In any embodiment,the computer network 136 can optionally include the classifications ofthe containers 115 of the system, for example including a list of allcontainers 115 in each such class. Such classifications can optionallyinclude classifications by size, shape or any other physicalcharacteristic of the container. Each container 115 can optionallyinclude any suitable identifier thereon (not shown), which can includethe address, the class, any characteristic of the class of the containeror any combination of the foregoing. Such identifier can optionallyinclude any machine-readable identifier, such as a barcode.

As indicated, computer network 136 of system 113 can be of any suitabletype. Computer network 136 can optionally include at least one deliverorcomputing device 141 and at least one deliveree computing device 142(see FIG. 4). In any embodiment, the computer network 136 can optionallyinclude a deliveror computing device 141 for each deliveror 118 of thesystem 113 and a deliveree computing device 142 for each deliveree 119of the system. Each deliveror computing device 141 can be of anysuitable type and can optionally include, for example, at least onecentral processing unit 146 and storage or memory 147 of any suitabletype. Each deliveror computing device 141 can optionally include adisplay 148. In any embodiment, deliveror computing device 141 canoptionally include a position sensor of any suitable type, for example aglobal positioning system (GPS) device or receiver. In any embodiment,deliveror computing device 141 can optionally include one or moresuitable depth sensors of any suitable type, which can optionallyinclude an RGB camera, an infrared illuminator, an infrared camera orany combination the foregoing. Each deliveree computing device 142 canbe of any suitable type and can include, for example, at least onecentral processing unit 146 and storage or memory 147 of any suitabletype, and optionally include a display 148. In any embodiment, thedeliveree computing device 142 can optionally include at least onesensor, for example a camera (not shown). In any embodiment, thedeliveree computing device 142 can optionally include additionalsensors, such as a microphone and an inertial measurement unit. In anyembodiment, deliveree computing device 142 can optionally include aposition sensor of any suitable type, for example a global positioningsystem (GPS) device or receiver. In any embodiment, deliveree computingdevice 142 can optionally include one or more suitable depth sensors ofany suitable type, which can include an RGB camera, an infraredilluminator, an infrared camera or any combination the foregoing.Examples of suitable deliveror computing devices 141 and delivereecomputing devices 142 include desktop computers, laptop computers,notebook computers, entertainment systems, smart home or other devices,internet of thing devices, network appliances, intelligent personalassistance, tablets, smartphones, mobile computing devices, mobilephones, watches, wearable electronic devices, smart wearable deviceswith cameras, electronic headsets, virtual-reality devices or anycombination of the foregoing. The deliveror computing devices 141 andthe deliveree computing devices 142 can have less electronic componentsthan shown in FIG. 4 or additional components not shown in FIG. 4. Thecomputer network 136 can additionally include one or more backend orplatform computing devices, for example one or more servers 151, whichcan each include a central processing unit 152 and storage or memory 153of any suitable type. Additional electronic components can optionally beincluded in each of the one or more servers 151. In any embodiment,servers 151 can optionally be located in a data center, which can bereferred to as a cloud computing center.

Computer network 136 can additionally include a computing device 156 ofany suitable type located on the robot 114. In any embodiment, computingdevice 156, which can be referred to as a computer or controller, caninclude a central processing unit 157 and storage or memory 158 of anysuitable type. In any embodiment, robot computer 156 can optionallyinclude a global positioning system (GPS) device or receiver 161 of anysuitable type. In any embodiment, robot computer 156 utilizes inputsignals from one or more sensors 162 of any suitable type, including forexample one or more vision or other cameras, one or more lidar devicesor sensors, one or more sonar devices or sensors, one or more radardevices or sensors, one or more near infrared (NIR) devices or sensors,an inertial measurement unit (IMU) device or sensor, or any combinationof the foregoing. The sensors can be referred to as part of the robotcomputer, as part of a robot computing system, as part of a perceptionsystem or any combination of the foregoing. In any embodiment, robotcomputer 156 can optionally include at least one transceiver 163 of anysuitable type, which can optionally include a Long-Term Evolution (LTE)or other cellular transmitting and receiving device, a wireless localarea networking (Wi-Fi) transmitting and receiving device, a Bluetoothtransmitting and receiving device, a radio frequency transmitting andreceiving device, a low-power radio frequency transmitting and receivingdevice, or any combination of the foregoing. Computing device 156 canhave less electronic components than shown in FIG. 4 or additionalcomponents not shown in FIG. 4.

Computer network 136 can additionally include a pickup containercomputing device 166, a recipient container computing device 167 orboth. In any embodiment, the computer network 136 can optionally includea pickup container computing device 166, which can be referred to as acomputer or controller, for each pickup container 116 of the system 113and can optionally include a recipient container computing device orcomputer 167, which can be referred to as a computer or controller, foreach drop off or recipient container 117 of the system. Each pickupcontainer computing device 166 can be of any suitable type and canoptionally include, for example, at least one central processing unit168 and storage or memory 169 of any suitable type. Each pickupcontainer computing device 166 can optionally include a transceiver 171of any suitable type, for example including any of the capabilities oftransceiver 163 of robot computer 156. Each recipient containercomputing device 167 can be of any suitable type and can optionallyinclude, for example, at least one central processing unit 168 andstorage or memory 169 of any suitable type, and can additionally includea transceiver 171 of any suitable type. The pickup container computingdevices 166 and the recipient container computing devices 167 can haveless electronic components than shown in FIG. 4 or additional componentsnot shown in FIG. 4.

Each of the components of computer network 136 can communicate with atleast some of the other components, or all of the other components, ofcomputer network 136 by any wireless, hard-wired or Internet-basedmeans, which can be referred to as or include the cloud 172. Thecomputer network can optionally be programmed with firmware, software orboth to control all or parts of system 113. In any embodiment, thecomputer network 136, including some or all of the components thereof,has computer-executable instructions stored in a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium to control all or parts of system 113.

A portion of the non-transitory computer-executable instructions ofcomputer network 136 can optionally be stored in the storage 147 ofdeliveror computing device 141, deliveree computing device 142 or both.Such instructions can optionally include software, for example such as asoftware application that can optionally be downloaded by the delivereeor user from cloud 172 to deliveree computing device 142, for permittingthe deliveree or user to perform some or all of the steps of thedeliveree or user noted herein. The deliver computing device 141 ordeliveree computing device 142 can be any of those disclosed herein,including a smartphone, a tablet, a notebook, a laptop, a watch, amobile computer, a smart wearable item with a camera, any mobilecomputing device with a camera or any combination of the foregoing. Suchsteps can optionally include accessing system 113, requesting deliveryof an article from a deliveror using system 113, viewing products forpossible purchase, purchasing a product from a vendor, requestingdelivery of the product to a delivery location using system 113 andidentifying a delivery or drop off location for the article or product.In any embodiment, the computer-executable instructions include softwarethat can optionally be used by a mobile computing device, for example asmartphone.

In any embodiment, the software can permit the user of the device todisplay an image on a display of the device, for example the display 148of deliveror computing device 141 or deliveree computing device 142. Theimage can be a two-dimensional image or a three-dimensional image. Theimage can be of a desired location, for example a pickup location or adrop off location, and can optionally include a digital map of thelocation, a virtual map of the location, a three-dimensional virtualmodel of the location, a satellite photograph of the location, aphotograph of the location taken by the user or another or anycombination of the foregoing. The image can optionally include video ofthe location. A three-dimensional virtual model, for example, canoptionally include three-dimensional location information with respectto each point, coordinate or precise location visible in the model. Suchthree-dimensional location information can optionally includethree-dimensional coordinates. Such three-dimensional coordinates orother information can optionally include coordinates in three orthogonalaxes, for example orthogonal X, Y and Z axes. The image can optionallybe stored in the device, for example in storage 147 of the device141,142. The image can optionally be downloadable to the device eitherprior to or during use of the software, for example at the request ofthe user, as a function of the location of the device, the orientationof the device, an image being provided by one or more cameras or othersensors of the device, information being provided by one or more sensorsof the device or any combination of the foregoing.

In any embodiment, the software can permit a user of the mobilecomputing device to scan terrain viewable by the user with a sensor ofthe device, such as a camera of the device, to produce one or moreimages of terrain, for example in the vicinity of a pickup location or adrop off location. The scanned images can be two-dimensional images. Theuser can store such one or more images in the device, for example instorage 147 of the device 141,142. In any embodiment, the software canpermit a user to scan terrain, for example in the vicinity of a pickupor drop off location, with one or more sensors of a device, for exampleone or more sensors of device 141,142, to permit computer network 136 tocreate a three-dimensional virtual model of all or a portion of thescanned terrain. Such sensors can optionally include, for example, oneor more cameras, one or more depth sensors or any combination of theforegoing.

In any embodiment, such software can permit the user of the device totouch an image visible or viewed on display 148 of the device 141,142,whether a live image being taken by the user or a stored image, toidentify a precise pickup location, a precise delivery location oranother precise location visible on the displayed image. Such precisedelivery location can optionally include a precise three-dimensionaldelivery location, for example when a three-dimensional image isdisplayed on the device. The precise location can optionally beidentified by an indicator or other indicia produced on the display,including for example on the image being displayed, by the user touchingthe display 148, for example with the tip of a finger. The software cancause the device 141,142 to produce such indicator at the location onthe image touched by the user in response to the use touching thedisplay at such location. The image with the indicator of the preciselocation thereon can optionally be stored in the mobile computingdevice. In any embodiment, for example, a user can touch athree-dimensional virtual model or other image displayed on the device,for example displayed on device 141,142, to identify a three-dimensionalpickup, delivery or other location on such three-dimensional model orimage.

In any embodiment, such software can transmit the precise pickup,delivery or other location, for example the image with the indicator ofthe precise location thereon, to system 113 for use by computer network136 in directing a robot 114, or any driverless or driven vehicle orother robot, to pick up or deliver a purchased product or other article.The user can initiate such transmission, or the transmission can beautomatic. The transmission can occur prior to without storing the imagein the computing device, or after storage of the image in the computingdevice 141,142. It is appreciated that such software can optionally beutilized for identifying any precise location, for example by beingdownloaded to any computing device, for any purpose.

In any embodiment, vehicle or other type of robot 114 has a size, shapeand functionality to permit it to travel on sidewalks, bike paths androads and can be of any suitable dimensions. In any embodiment, vehicle114 has a width not greater than the width of one lane of a bike path.In any embodiment, vehicle or robot 114 has a width not greater thanhalf the width of a sidewalk. In any embodiment, the vehicle or robot114 has a height, width and length each ranging from two feet to threefeet, and in any embodiment the vehicle 114 has a height ofapproximately 28 inches, a width of approximately 24 inches and a lengthof approximately 32 inches.

Robot 114 can be of any suitable shape and in any embodiment has a firstend 176 and a second end 177, and a first side 178 and a second side 179extending between ends 176, 177 (see FIGS. 5-6). In any embodiment,first and second ends 176, 177 can optionally be each planar, and in anyembodiment the ends 176, 177 can optionally be parallel to each other.In any embodiment, first and second sides 178, 179 can optionally beeach planar, and in any embodiment the sides 178, 179 can optionally beparallel to each other. In any embodiment, the robot 114 can optionallybe a vehicle that has at least three wheels and in any embodiment thevehicle can have at least four wheels, in each case for providingstability to the vehicle when at rest or during travel. Robot 114 canhave a plurality of wheels, for example two wheels, three wheels or fourwheels, on each side 178, 179 of the robot. In any embodiment, the robot114 has at least first and second wheels, which can optionally be afirst wheel assembly 181, on first side 178 and at least first andsecond wheels, which can optionally be a second wheel assembly 182, onsecond side 179. At least one of the wheels on each side of the robot114 can optionally be rotatable about a substantially vertical axis topermit turning of the robot, and in any embodiment the front and backwheels on each side of the robot can optionally be each rotatable abouta substantially vertical axis to facilitate turning in a small radiusand to permit the robot to rotate about a central vertical axis 183 ofthe robot. In any embodiment, at least some of the wheels on each sideof the robot can optionally be rotated at least 90° to permit the robotto travel sideways. In any embodiment, at least one of the wheels oneach side of the robot 114 can optionally be moved upwardly ordownwardly, for example to accommodate the terrain encountered by therobot, to facilitate pickup of articles by the robot, to facilitate dropoff of articles by the robot or any combination the foregoing. In anyembodiment, a plurality of wheels on each side of the robot canoptionally be so moved upwardly or downwardly. In any embodiment, all ofthe wheels on each side of the robot can optionally be so moved upwardlyor downwardly. Such upward or downward movement of a wheel can bepassive or active, for example controlled by a motor.

The robot 114 can optionally include at least one container 186, whichcan be referred to as a transport container and can optionally be atleast one transport container 115, carried by the wheels of the robot,for example by first and second wheel assemblies 181, 182. In anyembodiment, the at least one transport container 186 extends between thewheels on first side 178 and the wheels on second side 179, for examplebetween first and second wheel assemblies 181, 182. The at least onetransport container 186 can optionally be carried by a framework 187 ofthe robot 114, which can be referred to as a frame or chassis. In anyembodiment, a cover 188 can optionally be carried by the framework 187and extends over the top of the at least one transport container 186. Inany embodiment, the cover 188 can optionally include a top portion 191,and a first side portion 192 and a second side portion 193 dependingfrom the top portion 191 alongside the at least one transport container186 on respective first and second sides 178, 179 of the robot 114.First and second fenders 196, 197 can optionally be provided and coupledto frame 187 for extending over respective first and second wheelassemblies 181, 182. In any embodiment, the first and second fenders196, 197 can optionally be secured to the respective first and secondwheel assemblies 181, 182.

When first and second wheel assemblies 181, 182 are provided on robot114, the wheel assemblies can be of any suitable type. In anyembodiment, each of the wheel assemblies can optionally include threewheels that can optionally be each independently adjustable in heightrelative to frame 187 of the robot 114 (see FIGS. 7-8). Each suchadjustment can optionally be active, for example by a motor, or passive.In any embodiment, the three wheels of each wheel assembly canoptionally be each independently pivotable relative to frame 187, forexample each independently pivotable about an axis extendingperpendicular to first and second sides 178, 179 of the robot. In anyembodiment, each of first and second wheel assemblies 181, 182 canoptionally include a bogie 201 of any suitable type, which canoptionally be coupled to frame 187. In any embodiment, each bogie 201can optionally be pivotably coupled to frame 187 for pivoting about anaxis 202. In any embodiment, each bogie 201 can optionally be arocker-bogie system, or bogie assembly, for example similar to thatdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,394, the entire contents of which isincorporated herein by this reference.

In any embodiment, each bogie assembly 201 can optionally include afront wheel 206, a rear wheel 207 and a center wheel 208. Each bogieassembly 201 can optionally include a plurality of linkages or armsaligned orb disposed in a single plane. In any embodiment, the bogieassembly 201 of first wheel assembly 181 extends parallel to the bogieassembly 201 of the second wheel assembly 182. In any embodiment, eachbogie assembly 201 can optionally include a center linkage 211, whichcan be referred to as a center element or member 211. The center linkage211 can optionally include a first end 211 a and a second end 211 b. Afront linkage, element or arm 213 can optionally be pivotably coupled,for example passively, to first end 211 a of the center linkage 211 forpivoting about front pivot axis 214 so as to pivotably couple frontwheel 206 to the center linkage. Such pivoting of the front wheel 206can permit the wheel 206 to be independently moved upwardly ordownwardly, for example with respect to center linkage 211. Front wheel206 can optionally be rotatably coupled to free end 213 a of frontlinkage 213 by a front fork 216 that can optionally be pivotably orrotatably coupled to free end 213 a, for example by means of a pivotassembly 217. The pivot assembly permits fork 216 and thus front wheel206 to pivot about a substantially vertical axis 218, which can bereferred to as front steering axis 218, that extends perpendicular topivot axis 214. Pivot assembly 217 can be of any suitable type, and canoptionally include pins, bearings, gears or any combination of theforegoing. In any embodiment, the pivot assembly 217 can optionallyinclude first and second elements or disks that can optionally bepivotably or rotatably coupled together in any suitable manner, forexample with the first disk secured to the front linkage 213 and thesecond disc secured to the front fork 216. Pivot assembly 217 canoptionally include a motor 219 (see FIG. 22), for example an electricmotor controlled by robot computer 156 or another aspect of computernetwork 136, for selectively pivoting front fork 216 and thus frontwheel 206 to permit steering and other desired movement of the robot114. For example, the motor can serve to rotate the second disk relativeto the first disk. The front wheel 206 can optionally be rotatable aboutthe free end of the fork 216. In any embodiment, free end 213 a of frontlinkage 213 can optionally be inclined slightly upwardly in its homeposition so that the free or lower end of front fork 216 can optionallybe inclined forwardly at a slight angle relative to vertical, forexample at an angle of less than 20° from vertical (see FIG. 7). In anyembodiment, front linkage 213 can optionally be not inclined upwardlybut instead extend horizontally in its home position so that front fork216 extends downwardly in a vertical direction (see FIG. 12). The frontlinkage 213 can be inclined at any suitable angle relative to vertical.

A rear linkage, element or arm 221 can optionally be pivotably coupled,for example passively, to second end 211 b of the center linkage 211 forpivoting about rear pivot axis 222 so as to pivotably couple rear wheel207 to the center linkage. Rear wheel 207 can optionally be rotatablycoupled to free end 221 a of rear linkage 221 by a rear fork 226 thatcan optionally be pivotably or rotatably coupled to free end 221 a bymeans of a pivot assembly 227. The pivot assembly permits fork 226 andthus rear wheel 207 to pivot about a substantially vertical axis 228,which can be referred to as rear steering axis 228, that extendsperpendicular to pivot axis 222. Such pivoting of the rear wheel 207 canpermit the wheel 207 to be independently moved upwardly or downwardly,for example with respect to center linkage 211. Pivot assembly 227 canbe of any suitable type, and can optionally include pins, bearings,gears or any combination of the foregoing. In any embodiment, the pivotassembly 227 can optionally be substantially identical to pivot assembly217. In this regard, for example, a first disk can optionally be securedto the rear linkage 221 and the second disc can optionally be secured tothe rear fork 226. Pivot assembly 227 can optionally include a motor 229(see FIG. 22), for example an electric motor controlled by robotcomputer 156 or another aspect of computer network 136, for selectivelypivoting rear fork 221 and thus rear wheel 207 to permit steering andother desired movement of the robot 114. The rear wheel 207 canoptionally be rotatable about the free end of the fork 226. In anyembodiment, free end 221 a of rear linkage 221 can optionally beinclined slightly upwardly in its home position so that the free orlower end of the rear fork 226 can optionally be inclined rearwardly ata slight angle relative to vertical, for example at an angle of lessthan 20° from vertical (see FIG. 7). In any embodiment, rear linkage 221can optionally be not inclined upwardly but instead extends horizontallyin its home position so that rear fork 226 extends downwardly in avertical direction (see FIG. 12). The rear linkage 221 can be inclinedat any suitable angle relative to vertical.

A center arm 231, which can be referred to as an elbow 231, canoptionally be pivotably coupled to first end 211 a of the center linkage211 for pivoting about front pivot axis 214 so as to pivotably couplecenter wheel 208 to the center linkage of the bogie 201. The center armor elbow 231 can optionally be pivotable relative to the front linkage213 about front pivot axis 214. Such pivoting of the center wheel 208can permit the wheel 208 to be independently moved upwardly ordownwardly, for example with respect to center linkage 211. The centerwheel 208 can optionally be rotatably coupled to the free end of thecenter arm or elbow 231. In any embodiment, bogie pivot axis 202, frontpivot axis 214 and rear pivot axis 222 extend parallel to each other andperpendicular to central vertical axis 183. The linkages, arms ormembers of bogie 201 can be made from any suitable material such asmetal, steel, aluminum, plastic or any combination of the foregoing.

In any embodiment, a first or front spring 236, which can optionally bea combination spring and damper, has one end pivotably coupled to centerarm or elbow 231 and a second end pivotably coupled to front linkage 213for inhibiting the pivot of the center arm 231 relative to the frontlinkage 213. In any embodiment, a second or rear spring 237, which canoptionally be a combination spring and damper, has one end pivotablycoupled to center linkage 211 and a second end pivotably coupled to rearlinkage 221 for inhibiting the pivot of the rear linkage 221 relative tothe center linkage 211. The dimensions of springs 236, 237 and thelocations at which the ends thereof are coupled to the respectivecomponents of bogie 201 determine the angle at which the respective fork216, 226 extends relative to vertical.

In any embodiment, the pivoting of any or all of front linkage 213, rearlinkage 221 and center arm 231 relative to center linkage 211 canoptionally be controlled by one or more motors (not shown), for examplea separate motor with respect to each of front linkage 213, rear linkage221 a center arm 231, for controlling the height of the respectivewheels 206, 207 and 208 relative to the bogie 201. Such controlledelevational adjustment of one or more of wheels 206, 207, 208 canfacilitate the travel of robot 114 over uneven terrain, can facilitatethe pickup or delivery of articles by robot 114 or both. For example,such active controlling of any or all of wheels 206, 207 and 208 permitsa wheel to be picked up or elevated on demand, including autonomously,which can permit or facilitate such wheel stepping over objects such aspotholes or objects in the path of robot 114. In any embodiment, one ormore wheels of the robot, for example one or more of wheels 206, 207 and208 of a bogie 201, can optionally be moved upwardly or downwardly fortranslating the at least one container 186 carried by robot 114 in oneor more orthogonal directions, for pivoting the at least one containerin one or more orthogonal directions or a combination the foregoing. Inany embodiment, the motorized pivoting of any or all of front linkage213, rear linkage 221 and center arm 231 relative to center linkage 211can optionally be provided for this purpose.

At least one of the wheels of the robot 114 can optionally be driven bya motor controlled by robot computer 156 or another aspect of computernetwork 136, or motorized, for moving the robot. In any embodiment, atleast one of the wheels on each side 178, 179 of the robot canoptionally be driven by such a motor, or motorized. In any embodiment, aplurality of wheels on each side of the robot can optionally be drivenby such a motor, or motorized. In any embodiment, all of the wheels oneach side of the robot can optionally be driven by such a motor, ormotorized. For example, at least front and rear wheels 206, 207 of eachbogie 201 can optionally be driven by such a motor, or motorized. In anyembodiment, each of wheels 206, 207 and 208 of each bogie can optionallybe driven by such a motor, or motorized. The foregoing motors can eachbe of any suitable type, for example an electric motor. In anyembodiment, each of wheels 206, 207 and 208 can optionally be internallypowered by an electric motor 209, for example a hub motor, a scooter hubmotor, a wheel motor, a wheel hub drive or an in-wheel motor of anysuitable type, controlled by robot computer 156 or another aspect ofcomputer network 136.

First and second wheel assemblies 181, 182 facilitate robot 114navigating uneven terrain, including bumps, steps, curbs, potholes,inclines and declines. In this regard, each wheel of a bogie 201 canoptionally be independently pivotable, either passively or actively,relative to the other wheels of the bogie. As illustrated in FIG. 9,rear wheel 207 of a bogie 201 can easily negotiate a step or curb byrear linkage 221 pivoting upwardly relative to center linkage 221 aboutrear axis 222, the center linkage pivoting upwardly relative to elbow231 and front linkage 213 about front pivot axis 214 or a combinationthe foregoing. As illustrated in FIG. 10, front wheel 206 of a bogie 201can easily negotiate a step or curb by front linkage 213 pivotingupwardly relative to center linkage 221, elbow 231 or both about frontaxis 214, the center linkage pivoting upwardly relative to rear linkage221 about rear pivot axis 222 or any combination the foregoing. Suchpivoting can be passive, as permitted by the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 10-11, or can be active, when motors as discussed above areincluded in wheel assemblies 181, 182.

Bogies 201 of first and second wheel assemblies 181, 182 facilitate allof the wheels of each of the wheel assemblies remaining in contact withthe ground so as to directional control of robot 114 and thus thenavigation of the robot easier. At least some of the wheels in each ofthe wheel assemblies 181,182 can optionally be rotated to permit therobot 114 to rotate about central vertical axis 183. At least some ofthe wheels in each of the assemblies 181, 182 can optionally be rotatedat least 90° to permit the robot to travel sideways. In any embodiment,front wheel 206 and rear wheel 207 of each assembly 181, 182 canoptionally be rotated 90° to permit the robot 114 to travel sideways,for example in a direction perpendicular to forward or rearward travelof the robot (see FIG. 9).

The least one container 186 can optionally be coupled to the wheel ofrobot 114 in any suitable manner. In any embodiment, the at least onecontainer 186 can optionally be coupled to the wheels of robot 114 inany suitable manner which permits the at least one container 186 to bemoved upwardly and downwardly relative to such wheels. In anyembodiment, the at least one container 186 can optionally be coupled tothe wheels of robot 114 in any suitable manner which permits the atleast one container 186 to be pivoted about a first horizontal axisrelative to such wheels. In any embodiment, the at least one container186 can optionally be coupled to the wheels of robot 114 in any suitablemanner which permits the at least one container 186 to be pivoted abouta second horizontal axis, orthogonal to the first horizontal axis,relative to such wheels. Any combination of the foregoing can beprovided. In any embodiment, the at least one container 186 canoptionally be pivoted about three orthogonal axes and translated alongsuch three orthogonal axes. The wheels of the robot 114 can in anyembodiment include first and second wheel assemblies 181, 182.

In any embodiment, an attachment assembly 249 of any suitable type canoptionally be provided for coupling the at least one container 186 tothe wheels of robot 114, for example first and second wheel assemblies181, 182. In any embodiment, the attachment assembly 249 can optionallyinclude at least one translational adjustment mechanism, which can bereferred to as an elevational adjustment mechanism, for coupling the atleast one container 186 to the wheels of robot 114 for permitting the atleast one container 186 to be moved upwardly and downwardly relative tosuch wheels. In any embodiment, the attachment assembly can optionallyinclude a first translational adjustment mechanism for coupling one sideof the at least one container 186 to the wheels on one side of robot 114and a second translational adjustment mechanism for coupling the otherside of the least one container 186 to the wheels on the other side ofthe robot 114, each of which mechanisms can be referred to as anelevational adjustment mechanism.

Each translation mechanism can serve to adjust the vertical height ofthe respective side of the at least one container 186 with respect tothe related wheel assembly 181, 182 (see FIGS. 19-21). Raising andlowering the at least one container 186 can occur by translating eachside of the at least one container in unison. Relative translationalmovement of the opposite sides of the least one container 186 by suchfirst and second translational adjustment mechanisms can pivot the atleast one container 186 about an axis extending orthogonal to the endsof the at least one container 186, for example an axis 250 extendingorthogonal to the plane of the first and second translational adjustmentmechanisms (see FIG. 14). In any embodiment, the location of axis 250with respect to the at least one container 186 is dependent upon theamount of relative translational movement between such translationmechanisms and the amount of translational movement of each mechanism.

In any embodiment, the attachment assembly 249 can optionally include afirst translational adjustment mechanism 252 secured to first wheelassembly 181 and a second translational adjustment mechanism 253 securedto second wheel assembly 182. The first mechanism 252 can optionally becoupled to first side of the at least one container 186 and the secondmechanism 253 can optionally be coupled to the second side of the atleast one container 186. In any embodiment, chassis 187 can optionallybe included in attachment assembly 249 and first mechanism 252 canoptionally be coupled to a first side of the chassis 187 and secondmechanism 253 can optionally be coupled to a second side of the chassis187. Each of mechanisms 252, 253 can be of any suitable type and canoptionally include one or more slidable rails or slides, one or moretelescoping rails or slides, bearings, gears, pulleys, chains or anycombination of the foregoing. The components of mechanisms 252, 253 canbe made from any suitable material such as metal, steel, aluminum,plastic or any combination of the foregoing.

In any embodiment, each of the mechanisms can optionally include a rail256 having a first or lower end 256 a joined to the respective wheelassembly 181, 182 and a second or upper end 256 b extending upwardly andfree of the wheel assembly. One or more rails can optionally be slidablycarried by the rails 256, for example one or more telescoping slides,for adjusting the amount of vertical extension permissible by mechanisms252, 253. In any embodiment, a slide 257 can optionally be slidablycarried by rail 256 in any suitable manner for upward and downwardmovement on the rail 256. A motor 258, for example an electric motor,can optionally be provided for causing controlled extension andcontraction of the mechanism 252, 253, for example translating or movingslide 257, or multiple telescoping slides, on rail 256 and thus movingthe respective side of the chassis upwardly or downwardly relative tothe respective wheel assembly. Such motor 258 can optionally becontrolled by robot computer 156 or another aspect of computer network136 (see FIG. 22).

In any embodiment, the attachment assembly 249 can optionally include afirst pivot assembly for coupling one side of the at least one container186 to the wheels on one side of vehicle 114 and a second pivot assemblyfor coupling the other side of the least one container 186 to the wheelson the other side of the robot 114. Such pivot assembles can permit, andin any embodiment can cause, the least one container 186 to pivot aboutan axis extending perpendicular to the opposite sides of the at leastone container. In any embodiment, the pivot assemblies pivot each sidethe at least one container 186 in unison during such pivoting about theaxis. Such pivot assemblies can optionally be controlled by robotcomputer 156 or another aspect of computer network 136. Such axisextending perpendicular to the upsides of the least one container 186can be axis 202 (see FIG. 14).

In any embodiment, chassis 187 can optionally be included in attachmentassembly 249 and a first pivot assembly 261 can optionally be providedto pivotably couple slide 257 of the first mechanism 252 to the firstside of the chassis 187 and a second pivot assembly 262 can optionallybe provided to pivotably couple slide 257 of the second mechanism 253 tothe second side of the chassis 187. Each of the pivot assemblies 261,262 can be of any suitable type, and can optionally include pins,bearings, gears or any combination of the foregoing. The components ofpivot assemblies 261,262 can be made from any suitable material such asmetal, steel, aluminum, plastic or any combination of the foregoing.Each of the pivot assemblies can optionally include a motor 263controlled by robot computer 156 or another aspect of computer network136 (see FIG. 22), for example an electric motor, for pivoting therespective side of the chassis about such axis extending perpendicularto the opposite sides of the at least one container 186.

Frame or chassis 187 can be of any suitable type and serves to supportthe at least one container 186 on the wheels of the robot 114, which canoptionally be first and second wheel assemblies 181, 182, and throughoutthe various movements of the at least one container 186 relative to thewheels of the robot 114. In any embodiment, the chassis 187 serves toposition at least one end of the at least one container 186 at one end176 or 177 of the robot 114. Such end of the least one container canoptionally be parallel to such end of the robot, and in any embodimentsuch end of the least one container 186 can optionally be flush withsuch end of the robot 114. In any embodiment, the chassis 187 servicesto position opposite ends of the at least one container with oppositeends 176, 177 of the robot 114. Such opposite ends of the at least onecontainer 186 can optionally be parallel to such opposite ends of therobot, and in any embodiment such opposite ends of the at least onecontainer can optionally be flush with such opposite ends of the robot114.

In any embodiment, the chassis 187 can optionally include a base orsupport 281 on which the at least one container 186 rests. The base 281can optionally include a first end 282 and an opposite second end 283and a first side 284 and an opposite second side 285 extending betweenends 282, 283. The base can be of any shape and in any embodiment canoptionally be rectangular in shape when viewed in plan, and can have arectangular size and shape that approximately corresponds with thebottom of the at least one container 186. The chassis 187 can optionallyinclude additional structural elements of any suitable type forinhibiting movement of the least one container 186 on the base 281, andin any embodiment for securing the at least one container 186 to thebase. In any embodiment, such structural elements include first andsecond side wall elements 288, 289, which can be referred to assidewalls 288, 289, secured to and extending upwardly from respectivesides 284, 25 of the base 281. The distance between the sidewalls 288,289 can approximate the width of the at least one container 186, and inany embodiment the length or height of each of the sidewalls 288, 289approximates the height of the least one container 186. An optional topwall element 291, which can be referred to as top wall 291, extendsbetween and can optionally be secured to the tops of the first andsecond sidewalls 288, 289. The at least one container 186 can optionallybe removably secured to chassis 187 by any suitable means such as bolts,screws, clamps or other fasteners, for example fasteners extendingthrough base 281, sidewalls 288, 289 or both into the least onecontainer 186. In any embodiment, first and second pivot assemblies 261,262 can optionally be secured to respective first and second sidewalls288, 289 of the chassis 187 for permitting pivoting of the chassis 187and the at least one container 186 relative to the first and secondtranslational adjustment mechanism 252, 253. In this manner, controlledpivoting of the assemblies 261, 262 in unison pivots or tilts thechassis 187 and the at least one container 186 carried thereby aboutaxis 202. The pivot assemblies 261, 262, and pivot axes 202 thereof,travel upwardly and downwardly on rails 256 with the travel of theslides 257 on the rails 256. The components of chassis 187 can be madefrom any suitable material such as metal, steel, aluminum, plastic orany combination of the foregoing.

Robot 114 can optionally include a first mechanism for causing the atleast one container 186 to translate along a first axis, a secondmechanism for causing the at least one container 186 to translate alonga second axis orthogonal to the first axis, a third mechanism forcausing the least one container 186 to translate along a third axisorthogonal to the first and second axes, or any combination of theforegoing, for example during pickup or delivery of an article by therobot 114, during travel of the robot 114 or otherwise. Such mechanismscan optionally be controlled by robot computer 156 or another aspect ofcomputer network 136. Examples of such orthogonal axes includes axes183, 202 and 250, illustrated in FIG. 14. Each of such mechanisms can bereferred to as a positioning mechanism, a translation mechanism, anapparatus, a positioning apparatus, a translation apparatus, a device, apositioning device, a translation device, an assembly, a positioningassembly or a translation assembly, and can each include motorized ornon-motorized wheels, rails, slides, pins, bearings, gears, pulleys,chains, cables or any combination the foregoing. One or more of theforegoing for causing the at least one container 186 to translate inthree orthogonal directions can be referred to as a three orthogonalaxes adjustment, positioning or translation mechanism or firstmechanism, a three orthogonal axes adjustment, positioning ortranslation apparatus or first apparatus or a three orthogonal axesadjustment, positioning or translation assembly or first assembly. Forexample, one or more wheels of the robot 114 can optionally bemotorized, for example wheels 206, 207 and 208 of each bogie 201, andincluded in the foregoing. In any embodiment, one or more such wheelscan optionally be coupled to a motorized pivoting assembly of anysuitable type, for example pivot assemblies 217, 227, and included inthe foregoing for translating the at least one container 186 alongorthogonal first and second axes. In any embodiment, one or more wheelsof the robot, for example one or more of wheels 206, 207 and 208 of oneor both of bogies 201, can optionally be moved upwardly or downwardly bythe motorized pivoting of any or all of front linkage 213, rear linkage221 and center arm 231 relative to center linkage 211, and included inthe foregoing for translating the at least one container 186 along atleast one axis. Any pivot assembly included in the foregoing can be ofany suitable type, and can be referred to as a pivoting or rotatingmechanism, a pivoting or rotating apparatus, a pivoting or rotatingdevice or a rotating assembly, and can optionally include pins,bearings, gears or any combination of the foregoing. In any embodiment,one or both of translational mechanisms 252, 253 can optionally beincluded in the foregoing.

Examples of translation of chassis 187, and thus the at least onecontainer 186 carried by the base 281 of the chassis, along verticalaxis 183 are shown in FIGS. 12 and 14-16. Chassis 187 is shown in afirst position in FIG. 12, which for example can be a position suitableduring travel of robot 114 and referred to as a home position of thechassis. Chassis 187 is shown in a second position in FIGS. 14-15, wherethe chassis has been elevated by first and second translation adjustmentmechanisms 252, 253 with respect to the first or home position of FIG.12. Chassis 187 is shown in a third position in FIG. 16, where thechassis has been lowered by first and second translation adjustmentmechanisms 252, 253 with respect to the first or home position of FIG.12. In the illustrated third position of FIG. 16, chassis 187 is shownresting on or in close proximity to the ground. Each of such first,second and third positions can be referred to as horizontal positions.First and second translation adjustment mechanisms 252, 253 move eachside 284, 285 of the base 281 in unison for moving the chassis 187between such positions.

Robot can optionally include a first mechanism for causing the at leastone container 186 to pivot about a first axis, a second mechanism forcausing the at least one container 186 to pivot about a second axisorthogonal to the first axis, a third mechanism for causing the at leastone container 186 to pivot about a third axis orthogonal to the firstand second axes, or any combination of the foregoing, for example duringpickup or delivery of an article by the robot 114, during travel of therobot 114 or otherwise. Such mechanisms can optionally be controlled byrobot computer 156 or another aspect of computer network 136. Examplesof such orthogonal axes includes axes 183, 202 and 250, illustrated inFIG. 14. Each of such mechanisms can be referred to as a pivoting orrotating mechanism, a pivoting or rotating apparatus, a pivoting orrotating device or a rotating assembly, and can optionally includemotorized or non-motorized wheels, rails, slides, pins, bearings, gears,pulleys, chains, cables or any combination the foregoing. One or morethe foregoing for causing the at least one container 186 to pivot aboutthree orthogonal axes can be referred to as a three orthogonal axespivot or rotation mechanism or second mechanism, a three orthogonal axespivot or rotation apparatus or second apparatus or a three orthogonalaxes pivot or rotation assembly or second assembly. For example, one ormore wheels of the robot 114 can optionally be motorized, for examplewheels 206 and 208 of each bogie 201, and can optionally include a pivotassembly, for example pivot assemblies 217, 227, for pivoting the atleast one container 186 about an axis, such as axis 183, and included inthe foregoing. In any embodiment, one or more wheels of the robot, forexample one or more of wheels 206, 207 and 208 of one or both of bogies201, can optionally be moved upwardly or downwardly by the motorizedpivoting of any or all of front linkage 213, rear linkage 221 and centerarm 231 relative to center linkage 211, and included in the foregoingfor pivoting the at least one container 186 about at least one axis, forexample one or both of axes 202 and 250. Such mechanism can optionallyinclude for example translation mechanisms 252, 253, which for examplecan rotate the at least one container 186 about axis 250. Any pivotassembly included in the foregoing can be of any suitable type, and canbe referred to as a pivoting or rotating mechanism, a pivoting orrotating apparatus, a pivoting or rotating device or a rotatingassembly, and can optionally include pins, bearings, gears or anycombination of the foregoing. In any embodiment, a plurality ofmechanisms, each of which can be referred to as a positioning mechanism,a translation mechanism, an apparatus, a positioning apparatus, atranslation apparatus, a device, a positioning device, a translationdevice, an assembly, a positioning assembly or a translation assemblyand can optionally include motorized or non-motorized wheels, rails,slides, pins, bearings, gears, pulleys, chains, cables or anycombination the foregoing, can optionally be provided for rotating theat least one container 186 about an axis.

Examples of the pivoting of chassis 187, and thus the at least onecontainer 186 carried by base 281 of the chassis, along horizontal axis202 are shown in FIGS. 12 and 17-18. Chassis 187 is shown in a firstposition in FIG. 12, and in a second position in FIG. 17 where the base281 has been pivoted by first and second pivot assemblies 261, 262 sothat the second end 282 of base 281 has been tilted downwardly so as toapproach if not contact the ground. Chassis 187 is shown in a thirdposition in FIG. 18, where the chassis has been pivoted to a levelposition while robot 114 is traveling on an incline. Each of such secondand third positions can be referred to as pivoted or tilted positions.First and second pivot assemblies 261, 262 pivot each side 284, 285 ofthe base 281 in unison for pivoting the chassis 187 between suchpositions.

Robot 114 can optionally include one or more sensors 162 of any suitabletype, including for example one or more vision or other cameras, one ormore lidar devices or sensors, one or more sonar devices or sensors, oneor more radar devices or sensors, one or more near infrared (NIR)devices or sensors, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) device or sensoror any combination of the foregoing. In any embodiment, the robot 114can optionally include a camera on each end 176, 177 and each side 178,179 of the robot (see FIGS. 5-6). For example, a stereo camera 293, thatcan optionally be a camera with two or more lenses, can optionally beprovided on each end 176, 177 of the robot 114, for example on each endof cover 188. A wide field-of-view camera 294 can optionally be providedon each end 176, 177 and on each side 178, 179 of the robot, for exampleon each end and on each side of cover 188. In any embodiment, the camera294 can optionally be between the two lenses of stereo camera 293 onends 176, 177 of the robot 114. In any embodiment, sensors 162 canoptionally include a radar device or sensor (not shown) provided on eachend 176, 137 and each side 178, 179 of the robot 114. At least one IMUsensor or device 296 can optionally be included on robot 114, includingin sensors 162 of the robot. In any embodiment, device 296 canoptionally be carried on chassis 187, for example on base 281 of thechassis (see FIG. 15). Sensors 162 can optionally include a suitableodometry sensor provided on or with respect to each wheel of robot 114,including for example on or with respect to each of wheels 206, 207 and208 of each bogie 201, for sensing motion of each of the wheels (seeFIG. 22). Sensors 162 can optionally include a suitable angular or otherposition sensor (not shown), which can be referred to as a rotarysensor, provided on each joint or linkage or movable member of robot114, including for example center linkage 211, front linkage 213, rearlinkage 221, center arm or elbow 231, pivot assemblies 217, pivotassemblies 227, slides 257 of each transverse adjustment mechanism 251,253, pivot assemblies 261, 262, chassis 187, container doors 321,container belts 336, or any combination of the foregoing.

The sensors 162 can optionally be electrically coupled to robot computer156, either directly or indirectly, so that the signals therefrom canoptionally be utilized by robot computer 156 and computer network 136 inthe operation of system 113, including the operation of robot 114,pickup container 116 and recipient container 117. For example, thesensor input signals can optionally be used for navigating robot 114 andfor positioning the at least one container 186 of the robot, for exampleduring pickup or delivery of articles, objects or goods.

One embodiment of the electrical and electromechanical components ofrobot 114 is shown in FIG. 22. Among the components illustrated therein,are robot computer 156, storage 158, global positioning device 161,transceiver 163, clock 297, wheels 206, 207 and 208 of each bogie 201,wheel motors 209 and the sensors relating thereto, front and rear wheelpivot assembly motors 219, 229, left and right chassis slide motors 258,left and right chassis pivot assembly motors 263, container motors andelectronics 298 and certain of sensors 162. Robot 114 can optionallyinclude less than the components illustrated in FIG. 22, or additionalcomponents not shown in FIG. 22. For example, and for simplicity, anymotors for pivoting linkages 211, 213, 221, certain of the nonvisualperception sensors 162 and the angular and position sensors 162discussed above are not shown in FIG. 22.

The robot computer 156 can optionally be included in the control of anyor all movement of robot 114 by computer network 136, including anycontrolled movement of the at least one container 186 included in therobot, and can optionally be carried by the robot 114 in any suitablemanner. In addition, the robot 114 can optionally be provided with abattery 299 of any suitable type, for example a lithium-ion battery,that can be carried by the robot in any suitable manner. In anyembodiment, the robot computer 156 can optionally be carried by thechassis 187, for example mounted on base 201, or can optionally becarried by cover 188. In any embodiment, the battery 299 can optionallybe carried by the chassis 187, for example mounted on base 201, or canoptionally be carried by cover 188. The robot computer 156 and thebattery 299 are shown in one mounting configuration on base 201 in FIG.12.

The least one container 186 can be of any suitable type, including forexample a single container or a plurality of containers, and can be ofany suitable size and shape. In any embodiment, at least one of thecontainer has a length approximating the length of robot 114 or thelength of base 281. In any embodiment, the at least one of the containerhas a width approximating the width of base 281 or the distance betweensidewalls 288, 289.

In any embodiment, each container of the least one container 186 has aninterior and an opening with an optional door for accessing the interiorof the container. Robot 114 can optionally include at least oneretrieval mechanism, which can be referred to as a retrieval mechanism,a robot mechanism, a vehicle mechanism, a pickup mechanism, a recipientmechanism, a transport mechanism, a removal mechanism, a translationmechanism, a delivery mechanism, a drop off mechanism, a loadingmechanism, a receiving mechanism, an unloading mechanism or anycombination of such terms. The at least one mechanism can remove orassist in the removal of the contents of the container, move or assistin the movement of articles between containers, place or move or assistin the placement or movement of articles into the container or anycombination the foregoing. The least one retrieval or transportmechanism can be of any suitable type, for example mechanisms thatinclude a pick up or other arm, a scoop, a shovel, a pulley, a claw, acrane, a magnet, a conveyor, a belt, rollers, balls, a movable surface,a movable wall, a slide, a grasping device or any combination theforegoing. In any embodiment, the mechanism can optionally be a conveyorsystem of any suitable type that moves articles from one location toanother, for example along or across a substantially planar surface,which can optionally include belts, rollers, balls, a movable surface orany combination the foregoing. Articles can be moved into the container,out of the container or both from the top of the container, from theside of the container, from the bottom of the container or anycombination the foregoing by the mechanism or otherwise. The mechanismcan optionally be at least partially disposed in the container. In anyembodiment, the mechanism can optionally be carried inside thecontainer, for example so as to be part of the container. The at leastone retrieval mechanism can optionally include a plurality of suchretrieval mechanisms, for example one for each container where the leastone container 186 includes a plurality of containers, and can bereferred to as a product transport mechanism, an article transportmechanism, a good transport mechanism, an object transport mechanism, areceiving transport mechanism, a delivery transport mechanism, a robottransport mechanism, a vehicle transport mechanism, a pickup transportmechanism, a recipient transport mechanism or any combination of suchterms.

Where the least one container 186 is a single container, in anyembodiment the single container can optionally be in the shape of aparallelepiped and has an interior or cavity accessible by an openingand optional door in a wall of the container. The opening and optionaldoor can be in the top wall, the bottom wall, a side wall or anycombination of the foregoing. In any embodiment, the opening andoptional door can be in an end wall or sidewall of the container, forexample situated at one end 176, 177 of robot 114. The container can bereferred to as a closeable container, a lockable container, atamperproof container or any combination of such terms. In anyembodiment, such single container has an opening and optional relateddoor at each end 176, 177 of the robot.

In any embodiment, the least one container 186 can optionally include aplurality of containers each having an interior or cavity accessible byat least one opening and optional related door in a wall of thecontainer. In any embodiment, each of the plurality of containers canoptionally be in the shape of a parallelepiped and the at least oneopening and optional door can be in an end wall or sidewall of thecontainer. In any embodiment, the opening and optional door can be inone end of the each of the plurality of containers having the shape of aparallelepiped. Each of the plurality of containers can be referred toas a closeable container, a lockable container, a tamperproof containeror any combination of such terms. In any embodiment, the combined lengthof two of the plurality of containers approximates the length of robot114 or the length the base 281. In any embodiment, the combined width oftwo of the plurality of containers approximates the width of base 281 orthe distance between sidewalls 288, 289.

In any embodiment, the least one container 186 has a modularconstruction formed from a plurality of containers, for example aplurality of containers 115, which can be mixed and matched in size andshape, to form a container assembly 301 that is in the shape of aparallelepiped with a length approximating the length of robot 114 orbase 281, a width approximating the width of base 281 or the distancebetween sidewalls 288, 289 and a height approximating the distancebetween base 281 and top wall 291. In any embodiment, each of theplurality of containers, which can be referred to as a transportcontainer, of the container assembly 301 is in the shape of aparallelepiped. In any embodiment, each of the containers of containerassembly 301 has an end wall at one end 176 or 177 of the robot 114 withan opening therein and optional door for accessing the interior orinside of the container. The end wall of each container can optionallybe parallel with the end 176 or 177 of the robot 114, and in anyembodiment can optionally be flush with such end 176 or 177 of therobot.

Container 115 can be suitable for use in robot 114, for example forinclusion with the at least one container 186, in pickup container 116,in recipient container 117 or any combination of the foregoing. Thecontainer 115 can be of any suitable type and in any embodiment canoptionally be in the shape of a parallelepiped formed by a body 304 madefrom any suitable material such as metal or plastic. Body 304 has afirst end 306 and an opposite second end 307 and a first side 308 and anopposite second side 309 extending perpendicular to ends 306, 307 (seeFIGS. 23-25). The body 304 can further include a top wall 311 and abottom wall 312, each extending perpendicular to ends 306, 307 and sides308, 309. First end 306 can be referred to as the front end and secondend 307 can be referred to as the back end or rear of the body 304,while first side 308 can be referred to as the left side and second side309 can be referred to as the right side of the body. The body has aninterior or cavity 316 and an opening 317, for example in one or more ofends 306, 307, sides 308, 309 or top wall 311, for accessing theinterior 316 of the body 304. In any embodiment, an opening 317 canoptionally be provided in one or both of ends 306, 307, for example infirst or front end 306. The opening 317 can be of any suitable size andin any embodiment can optionally be substantially rectangular orrectangular in shape and optionally have a height approximating theheight between walls 311, 312 and a width optionally approximating thewidth between sides 308, 309 of the container.

The container 115 can optionally be a closeable container and include anoptional door 321 of any suitable type for covering the opening 317 andthus precluding or inhibiting access to the interior 316 of thecontainer. The door 321, which can be referred to as a side door or enddoor, can open and close in a manner such that no portion of the doorpenetrates or extends outwardly through the opening 317 during openingand closing of the door. In any embodiment, the door 321 can optionallybe a segmented door which travels on first and second rails 323extending along opposite sides of the opening 317 and thenperpendicularly thereto into the interior 316 of the container. In anyembodiment, the segmented door 321 can optionally be a roll top doorthat travels on slots, guides or rails 323 between a first position inwhich the door 321 closes the opening 317 and a second position in whichthe door is open and extends below the top wall 311 of the containerbody 304, thus providing substantially full access to the opening 317.The slots, guides or rails, which can be referred to as rails 323herein, can be secured to the body 304 by any suitable fasteners.Suitable guides or rollers 324 can extend from each end of each segmentof the door into the respective rail 323 for facilitating movement ofthe door on the rails between the door's first or closed position andsecond or opened position. Container 115 can be referred to as acloseable container, a lockable container, a tamperproof container orany combination of such terms

Container 115 can optionally include at least one transport mechanism,which can be referred to as a transport mechanism, a robot mechanism, avehicle mechanism, a retrieval mechanism, a removal mechanism, atranslation mechanism, a delivery mechanism, a drop off mechanism, aloading mechanism, a receiving mechanism, an unloading mechanism or anycombination of such terms The at least one mechanism can remove orassist in the removal of the contents of the container 115, move orassist in the movement of articles between containers, place or move orassist in the placement or movement of articles into the container orany combination the foregoing. The least one transport mechanism can beof any suitable type, for example a mechanism, assembly, apparatus ordevice that can optionally include a pick up or other arm, a scoop, ashovel, a pulley, a claw, a crane, a magnet, a conveyor, a belt,rollers, balls, a movable surface, a movable wall, a slide, a graspingdevice or any combination the foregoing. The at least one transportmechanism can optionally be inside container 115. In any embodiment, themechanism can optionally be a conveyor mechanism system of any suitabletype that moves articles from one location to another, for example alongor across a substantially planar surface, which can optionally includebelts, rollers, balls, a movable surface or any combination theforegoing. The at least one transport mechanism can optionally include aplurality of such mechanisms, and can be referred to as a producttransport mechanism, an article transport mechanism, a good transportmechanism, an object transport mechanism, a receiving transportmechanism, a delivery transport mechanism, a pickup transport mechanismor any combination of such terms.

In any embodiment, the at least one transport mechanism 329 canoptionally be a conveyor mechanism or system that, for example, canoptionally include a plurality of rollers 331 carried by body 304 anddisposed along the bottom of the interior 316 of the body. The transportmechanism 329 can extend along substantially the entire length of theinterior of body 304. The rollers 331 can optionally be coupled to thebody 304 by any suitable means, for example by first and second elongatemembers or rails 332 extending along each side of the bottom of theinterior of the body 304 and secured thereto by any suitable means suchas a support 333 at each end of each rail 332. Each of the rollers 331can optionally be pivotably secured at each end to a rail 332 by abearing 334 or any other suitable means. The rollers 331 can be evenlyor otherwise spaced apart along the length of body 304, for examplealong the length of the rails 332. A belt 336, for example a conveyorbelt, can optionally be rotatably carried by the plurality of rollers331. The belt 336 can be flexible and can be made from any suitablematerial such as rubber. In any embodiment, the transport mechanism 329can optionally be motorized, for example so as to move belt 336 inopposite first and second directions along rollers 331 and the length ofbody 304. At least one motor 337 of any suitable type, for example anelectric motor, can optionally be provided with respect to the least oneof rollers 331 for driving the belt or conveyor belt 336 of transportmechanism 329. The at least one motor 337 can optionally be controlledby computer network 136. In any embodiment, a motor 337 can optionallybe provided with respect to one of the end rollers 331, as illustratedin FIG. 24 where the motor 337 is provided within the first or frontroller 331. It is appreciated that a motor 337 can optionally beprovided with respect to each of the front and rear rollers 331 of thetransport mechanism 329, or with respect any other rollers 331 of themechanism.

Container 115 can optionally include a door opening assembly ormechanism 341 for controlling the operation or movement of containerdoor 321, for example opening and closing door 321. The mechanism 341can be of any suitable type and located partially or totally within theinterior 316 of the container 115, or partially or totally on theexterior of the container or entirely outside of the container. In anyembodiment, the door opening mechanism 341 can optionally be locatedinside the container 115 and can optionally include a belt, chain orcable 342, which can be referred to as a cable 342 herein, coupled tothe door 321 in any suitable manner, for example by a clip or bracket343 that can optionally be secured to both the cable 342 and the door321. In any embodiment, clip 343 can optionally be secured to one end ofdoor 321, for example to the top end of the door. The opening mechanism341 can optionally include a motor, for example an electric motorcontrolled by computer network 136. In any embodiment, an electric motor346 can optionally be included in the mechanism 341, for example withinat least one end of a roller 331. In any embodiment, not shown, theelectric motor 346 can optionally be disposed elsewhere within container115, for example in a space between two adjacent rollers 331 and carriedby rails 323. The motor 346 can optionally include a timer, pulley orshaft 347, which can be referred to as a shaft 347 herein, extendingfrom the roller 331, upon which the cable 342 can optionally be carried,for example by extending at least partially around the shaft 347. Themechanism 341 can optionally include additional pulleys or wheels 348upon which the cable 342 can rotatably travel. Motorized movement ofcable 342 by motor shaft 347 in a first direction about pulleys 348causes door 321 to open and motorized movement of the cable by shaft 347in an opposite second direction about pulleys 348 causes the door toclose opening 317.

Container 115 can optionally be lockable, for example so as to inhibitunwanted access to the interior 316 of the container and inhibitunwanted tampering of the container. In any embodiment, container door321 can optionally be lockable. In any embodiment, container 115 canoptionally include a door latch 349 for locking and unlocking door 321(see FIG. 28). Latch 349 can optionally be electronically controlled bycomputer network 136, including for example robot computer 156.

In any embodiment, a container of the invention can optionally beprovided with a door that can be manually opened and closed. Suchfeature can be in addition to or in lieu of any automatic door openingmechanism or assembly, such as door opening mechanism 341. Suchembodiment of the container can optionally be provided with any suitableopening and related door, for example any of the openings and respectivedoors disclosed herein.

One embodiment of a container 115′ with a door 321 that can optionallybe manually opened and closed is illustrated in FIGS. 26 and 27.Container 115′ can optionally be substantially similar to container 115,and like reference numerals have been used to describe like componentsof the containers 115 and 115′. A door opening assembly or mechanism ofany suitable type that can optionally be manually operated by a humanfor opening and closing door 321 can optionally be included in container115′. In any embodiment, a door opening mechanism 341 can optionally beprovided for container 115′ that can be substantially similar to thedoor opening mechanism 341 of container 115. Such mechanism 341 canoptionally include pulleys 348 and a cable 342, which has a portion 342a that can extend alongside the rear of door 321. In any embodiment,cable portion 342 a extends parallel to opening 317, and the rear of thedoor 321 when the door is in a closed position. In any embodiment, thecable portion 342 a extends parallel to one side of opening 317 and thusone side of the closed door 321. A bracket 343′, which can be referredto as a clip, latch or opener, for securing the door 321 to cable 342can have a portion secured to the door 321, for example the bottom orbottom portion of the door, and another portion that is removably orselectively attachable to cable portion 342 a. Latch 343′ can optionallybe accessible from the exterior of door 321 so as to permit a user ofcontainer 115′ to selectively attach and detach the latch 343′ to cableportion 342 a. To accommodate the positioning of cable 342 in container115′, door opening motor 346 can optionally be located in the frontroller 331 of the container, as illustrated in FIG. 27. Motor shaft 347extends from motor 346 and the end of the respective roller 331 forengaging and driving cable 342, for example as discussed above. Conveyormotor 337 can optionally be reconfigured to occupy only a portion ofsuch roller 331, as shown in FIG. 27, so as to accommodate door motor346 being located in the same roller 331 as the conveyor motor 337.

In any method of the invention for manually opening door 321 utilizinglatch 343′, the user can engage the latch 343′ to detach it from cableportion 342 a. The user can then manually move door 321 on rails 323 toan opened position, sliding latch 343′ along cable portion 342 a duringthe process, for example to the position shown in FIG. 25. The door to321 can optionally be locked in its opened position by any suitablemeans, for example by reattaching latch 343′ to the cable 342. When theuser decides to close door 321, the user can manually move the door toits closed position and thereafter reattach latch 343′ to the cableportion 342 a. The manual door opening mechanism of the inventionpermits opening and closing of a door of a container without requiringan electric motor or component, such as motor 346. The manual openingand closing of the door can thus be accomplished without requiringelectricity or other power to the container. Such manual door openingand closing mechanism may be particularly suited for a container notassociated with a continuous power supply, for example a pickupcontainer 116 or a recipient container 117 for which a continuous supplyof power may not be necessary or desired.

Container 115 can optionally include a joining device or apparatus fortemporarily securing or joining two containers 115 together so as topermit the transfer of articles, goods, objects or products between thecontainers. Such transfer can be accomplished without human assistance,with human assistance, semi-autonomously or autonomously. For example,the front end 306 of two containers 115 can be brought together so thatthe respective openings 317 of the containers face each other and one orboth of the transport mechanisms 329 of the containers can optionally beutilized to transfer articles between the containers. In this regard,for example, the openings 317 of the two containers 115 can optionallybe aligned or registered with each other so for example the top surfaceof the respective conveyor belts 336 of the containers can besubstantially parallel to each other for permitting articles moved offof or delivered by the belt 336 of the delivering container to be pickedup by or received by the belt 336 of the receiving container 115. In anyembodiment, the front of the conveyor belts 336 of the two containerscan optionally be relatively close to each other so as to facilitate orpermit an article moving off one conveyor belt to be picked up by theopposing conveyor belt. In any embodiment, the conveyor belts of the twocontainers 115 can optionally be substantially horizontally aligned witheach other so as to facilitate a transfer of an article between the twoconveyor belts. The temporary joining device or apparatus 351 can be ofany suitable type, including electrical, mechanical, electromechanical,magnetic or electromagnetic devices or apparatus such as clips, bracketsor magnets. In any embodiment, joining device or apparatus 351 canoptionally include at least one magnet disposed on or accessible at thefront end 306 of the container (see FIG. 25). In any embodiment, firstand second magnets 351 can optionally be provided on diagonally oppositecorners of the outside face 352 of the front end 306 of the container.In any embodiment, the magnets of other joining apparatus 351 of onecontainer 115 oppose the joining apparatus 351 of the other or matingcontainer 115, so for example to register with each other during dockingof the two containers. When the opposing front faces or ends of twocontainers 115 are brought together, joining devices or magnets 351cooperate with each other to temporarily secure the two containerstogether during the process of transferring articles between thecontainers.

The containers of the invention can optionally be powered by anysuitable means, continuously or intermittently. For example, thecontainers can optionally be independently powered, for example by abattery carried by the container or by wired connection to any suitablepower source such as the grid, or be powered by robot 114. Solar panelscan optionally be provided on the containers of the invention forproviding power thereto. The at least one container 186 of robot 114 canoptionally be powered by the robot. A container remote of a robot of theinvention, for example a stationary container such as pickup container116 and recipient container 117, can optionally be powered by a robot,for example a transport container 115 of the robot, docking or matingwith the remote container. In any embodiment, a stationary container canoptionally be mechanically powered, for example by solar power, windpower or a conventional power grid.

In any embodiment, containers 115 can optionally be provided with atleast one suitable electrical connector 353 for permitting the transferof power between joined containers 115. In any embodiment, the at leastone electrical connector 353 can optionally be provided on face 352 ofthe container and in any embodiment the at least one connector 353 canoptionally include first and second connectors 353 provided on the face352 of the container 115. For example, the first and second connectors353 can optionally be provided on diagonally opposite corners of theoutside face 352 of the front and 306 of the container. In anyembodiment, the connectors 353 of one container 115 oppose theconnectors 353 of the other or mating container 115, so for example toregister with each other during docking of the two containers. In anyembodiment, containers 115 can optionally be provided with the least onesuitable communications connectors 358 for permitting hardwiredcommunications between containers. In any embodiment, the at least onecommunications connector 358 can optionally be provided on face 352 ofthe container. In any embodiment, the communications connector 358 ofone container 115 opposes the communications connector 358 of the otheror mating container 115, so for example to register with each otherduring docking of the two containers. When the opposing front faces orends of two containers 115 are brought together, and for exampletemporarily secured together, the first and second electrical connectors153 of one container cooperatively engage or electrically connect withthe first and second electrical connectors 153 of the other container.Where one of the containers 115 has power, for example a transportcontainer 115 included in the at least one container 186 of robot 114,the joined electrical connectors 153 of the two containers can serve totemporarily transfer power to the other container, for example to apickup container 116 or a recipient container 117 without an independentor continuous supply of power thereto. Electrical connectors 353 can beof any suitable type, for example conductors that permit conductive orinductive coupling therebetween.

The containers of the invention can optionally include a scale of anysuitable type, for example for measuring the contents of the container.In any embodiment, each of containers 115 can optionally include a scalefor measuring the weight of the objects resting on transport mechanisms329 thereof, for example on belt 336. In any embodiment, such weightscale can optionally be formed from one or more sensors 356 disposed onsupports 333 of the transport mechanism 329 (see FIG. 23). Each of suchsensors 356 can be of any suitable type, for example a strain gauge.Such scales can optionally be coupled to computer network 136, eitherdirectly or indirectly.

One embodiment of the electrical and electromechanical components 298 ofthe containers of the invention, for example container 115 and at leastone container 186, is shown in FIG. 28. Among the components illustratedtherein, are a computing device, controller or computer 357 of anysuitable type, which can optionally be part of computer network 136 andinclude central processing unit 168 and storage 169. Components 298 canadditionally include a transceiver 171, transport mechanism motor 337,door motor 346, door latch 349 and one or more power connectors 353. Thecomponents 298 can further include one or more communications connectors358, for permitting communications from outside of the container withcomputer 354 of the container, and one or more weight sensors 356 forsensing the weight of articles carried by the container. The containercan optionally include less than the components illustrated in FIG. 28or additional components not shown in FIG. 28. In any embodiment, forexample when a container 115 is included in the at least one container186 of robot 114, communications connector 355 can optionally be coupledto robot computer 156 (see FIG. 22) so as to permit container computer354, or other components of container components 298, to communicatewith computer network 136 by means of a hardwired connection. In anyembodiment, for example when container 115 is included in a pickupcontainer 116 or a recipient container 117 or in other instances when ahard-wired connection is not permissible or desired between containercomponents 298 and computer network 136, transceiver 171 can permitwireless communications between container components 298 and thecomputer network 136.

Containers 115 can optionally be assembled together in a variety ofconfigurations to form a container assembly 301 for use on robot 114. Inany embodiment, for example illustrated in FIGS. 19-21 and 29, thecontainer assembly 301 can optionally include a plurality of eightcontainers 115 arranged in a configuration of two columns, two rows andtwo containers deep. When viewed from either first end 176 or second end177 the robot 114, the front end 306 of four of the containers 115 ofthe container assembly 301 form a grid consisting of two columns and tworows of the containers 115. In each row, first side 308 of one containercan optionally be flush with second side 309 of the adjacent container.In each column, top wall 311 of one container can optionally be flushwith bottom wall 312 of the adjacent container. The back end 307 of onecontainer can optionally be flush with the back end 307 of the containerbehind it. The front end 306 of such four containers can optionally beparallel with each other and flush with the respective end 176, 177 ofthe robot. The openings 317 and interiors 316 of such four containers115, when the respective doors 321 are opened, are accessible at therespective end of the robot. The containers 115 accessible at one end176 of the robot 114 can optionally be disposed end to end with thecontainers 115 accessible at the other end 177 of the robot, asillustrated in FIG. 29. Containers 115 can optionally be provided withadditional openings, doors or both, of any suitable type including anydiscussed herein, for permitting transfer of articles between containers115 within container assembly 301. For example, two containers disposedend-to-end within container assembly 301 can optionally include anopening, door or both at the back of the containers, for example in backend 307 of each container 115. Any suitable mechanism, for example anyof those discussed herein and including transport mechanism 329, canoptionally be provided for transferring articles through such openingsbetween such containers.

A delivery of the invention can consist of a single article 121 or aplurality of articles 121. A single article can be transported without atransportation container or enclosure or within a transportationcontainer or enclosure of any suitable type. Similarly, a plurality ofarticles can be transported without a transportation container orenclosure or within a transportation container or enclosure of anysuitable type. Suitable transportation containers can optionally includea bag, an envelope, a package or a box. Suitable materials for use informing transportation containers include paper, plastic and cardboard.A transportation container can be for single use, or be reusable for usein a plurality of deliverees. In any embodiment, a transportationcontainer of a standardized size and shape can optionally be used fortransporting one or more articles 121 within system 113, for example forfacilitating the transport of objects into and out of containers 115(see FIGS. 3, 6, 32-39 and 41).

Transportation container 361 can optionally be of a standardized sizeand shape for use in system 113. Container 361 can be of any suitabletype and be made from any suitable material such as plastic, metal,cardboard, paper, paperboard or fiberboard. In any embodiment, thetransportation container 361 has a shape of a parallelepiped, and in anyembodiment has four interconnected sidewalls 362 joined to a bottom wall363. In any embodiment, the transportation container has a top wall (notshown) so as to have a closed top. In any embodiment, the transportationcontainer 361 can optionally be an open container, that is free of atop. In any embodiment, the open container can optionally be rectangularin shape when viewed in plan and formed from bottom wall 363 and foursidewalls 362 joined together at the bottom wall. The transportationcontainer 361 has an interior cavity or space 364 for receiving one ormore articles therein. One or more objects can be placed within thetransportation container 361, and in any embodiment all of the objectsin a transportation container can optionally be associated with oneorder or request from a user. The transportation container can be of anysuitable size, for example not greater than the size of the plurality ofcontainers 115 in which the transportation container 361 is to beutilized. In any embodiment, the transportation container 361 has a sizeapproximating the size of the plurality of containers 115 in which thetransportation container is to be utilized. The transportation container361 can be referred to as a liner, a box, a cardboard box, a receptacle,a holder, a canister, a bag, a case, a repository or any combination ofsuch terms.

In any embodiment, robot 114 can optionally include an arm, element,member, mechanism, apparatus or assembly (not shown), for conveniencereferred to herein as a member, having an end that can optionally bemovable relative to at least a portion of the robot, for example wheelassemblies 181, 182, attachment assembly 249, at least one container 186or any combination of the foregoing. Such end can optionally be movablein any suitable manner, for example upwardly or downwardly, forwardly orrearwardly, sideways, can optionally be pivotable in any suitablemanner, for example about a first axis, about a second axis orthogonalto the first axis, about a third axis orthogonal to the first and secondaxes, or any combination the foregoing. Such end can optionally includean end effector of any suitable type, for example an anthropomorphic endeffector. Such member can be of any suitable type, for examplearticulated, telescoping, extendable, retractable or any combination theforegoing, and can optionally be coupled or attached to any portion ofthe robot, for example one or both of ends 136, 177 of the robot, one orboth of sides 178, 179 of the robot or any combination the foregoing.The member can optionally be configured to push buttons, for example tooperate an elevator, crosswalk light or traffic signal, to ringdoorbells, to open doors, to activate handicapped access plates, tomanipulate items, to perform tasks necessary or advisable duringoperation of the robot 114, or any combination the foregoing.

In any embodiment, the shape and size of the transportation container361 can optionally be standardized throughout system 113. In anyembodiment, the shape and size of the transportation container 361 canoptionally be standardized for the sized and shaped container 115 inwhich the transportation container 361 is to be utilized. One or moreclasses of such standardized transportation containers 361 canoptionally be utilized by system 113. Such classifications canoptionally include classifications by size, shape or any other physicalcharacteristic of the transportation container. In any embodiment, thecomputer network 136 categorizes certain classes of standardizedtransportation containers 361 with certain classes of standardizedcontainers 115 and utilizes such information to efficiently transfercontainers 361 throughout system 113. For example, the computer network136 can match transportation container 361 with the smallest permissiblecontainers 115 throughout the course of travel of the transportationcontainer 361 from the pickup location to the drop off location. Eachtransportation container can optionally include any suitable identifierthereon, such as identifier 364, which can optionally include theaddress, the class, any characteristic of the class of thetransportation container or any combination of the foregoing. Suchidentifier can optionally include any machine-readable identifier, suchas a barcode.

Methods for utilizing a vehicle or other type of robot to deliverarticles between first and second locations are provided. Such methods,including any step or portion thereof, can be accomplished without humanassistance, with human assistance, semi-autonomously or autonomously.Such methods can use system 113 and vehicle or robot 114, for exampleone robot 114 in a fleet of identical robots, but are not limited to thesame. Such methods can optionally be computer-implemented and can useone or more processors or computers, located together or apart from eachother, for such implementation. In any embodiment, such methods utilizecomputer network 136. System 113 and robot 114 can optionally beutilized with other methods and systems, including other methods orsystems for purchasing or selling goods or delivering goods or objectsbetween first and second locations.

In any method of the invention, a request from a user can be received bycomputer network 136 for picking up one or more articles 121 at a firstlocation. The request can optionally include a request to transport ordeliver the article from the first location to a second location. Therequest can optionally include a request to deliver the article at thesecond location. In any embodiment, the user can optionally be apurchaser of the article 121, which can optionally be a product. Therequest can optionally include a request to purchase the product and canoptionally include a payment for the purchase of the product. In anyembodiment, the user can optionally be an agent of the purchaser. In anyembodiment, such purchase can optionally be accomplished utilizingcomputer network 136, separately or together with other computers orcomputer networks. In any embodiment, the deliveror of the product canoptionally be a seller of the article, or vendor. Any method canoptionally include the deliveror receiving payment for the purchase ofthe product. In any method, the deliveror of the article 121 canoptionally be an agent of a seller or vendor. In any embodiment, thepurchaser or other user enters its request utilizing a delivereecomputing device 142, which can be referred to as a user computingdevice, a vendee computing device or a purchaser computing device. Inany embodiment, the seller or other deliveror acts on the requestutilizing a deliveror computing device 141, which can be referred to asa seller computing device or a vendor computing device.

The request of the user can optionally include the location of the user,the location at which the article 121 is to be delivered or both. Thelocation at which the article is to be delivered, which can be referredto as the second location, can optionally be an address, the physicallocation of the user, nearby the address or the physical location of theuser, a horizontal or any other surface, on the ground, a recipientcontainer 117 of the user or available to the user, a specific locationdesignated by the user, a location designated by computer network 136with respect to the user or any combination of the foregoing. Thespecific location can optionally be a specified or precise location, forexample at the second location, where the article should be delivered.In one possible step, the specified or precise delivery location canoptionally include a three-dimensional delivery location, for exampleincluding three-dimensional coordinates or other three-dimensionalinformation of the precise delivery location. Such three-dimensionalcoordinates or other information can optionally include coordinates inthree orthogonal axes, for example orthogonal X, Y and Z axes.

In one possible step, computer network 136 provides a three-dimensionalvirtual model of the second location to the user. Such three-dimensionalvirtual model can optionally include three-dimensional coordinates forall locations or areas thereon. The three-dimensional virtual model canhave been previously created, and stored in network 136, or created frominformation provided by the user, for example with a deliver computingdevice 141, deliveree computing device 142 or other computing device.The three-dimensional virtual model can optionally be displayed ondisplay 148 of the device 141,142 and the user can indicate thereon aprecise three-dimensional location, for example for delivery or pick up.In one possible step, the user can indicate the precisethree-dimensional location by creating an indicator on the displayedthree-dimensional virtual model at the precise location. The indicatoridentifying the precise three-dimensional delivery location on thethree-dimensional virtual model can be created in any suitable manner,for example by the user touching the display 148 of the device 141,142.For example, in one possible step, the three-dimensional virtual modelcan optionally be displayed on electronic screen or display 148 and theuser can touch the screen 148 so as to indicate the precise location onthe three-dimensional virtual model, which can optionally be saved bycomputer network 136. The user's indication on the three-dimensionalvirtual model can optionally be translated by computer network 136 intothree-dimensional coordinates or other information indicative of theprecise three-dimensional location, for example the precisethree-dimensional second location for delivery.

In one possible step, the request can optionally include a photograph orother image, for example image 367, of the first or second location withan indicator, for example indicator 368, on the image identifying aprecise two-dimensional delivery location for the article (see FIG. 31).The two-dimensional pickup or delivery location from such image canoptionally be utilized by computer network 136 to derivethree-dimensional coordinates or information indicative of thethree-dimensional delivery location. The image can optionally includeterrain 366 of the second location, for example land 369, structures 370on the land or both. The image can be of any suitable type, includingone or more photographs or video stored by the user, for example indevice 141,142, or contemporaneously taken by the user, for exampleusing device 141,142. The indicator identifying the precisetwo-dimensional delivery location on the image can be created in anysuitable manner, for example by the user touching the image whilevisible on display 148 of the device 141,142 (see FIG. 30). For example,in one possible step, photograph 367 can optionally be displayed onelectronic screen or display 148 and the user can touch the screen 148,as shown in FIG. 30, so as to indicate the precise location on thetwo-dimensional photograph, shown by indicator 368 in FIG. 31, which canoptionally be saved by computer network 136. It is appreciated that theindicator 368 can optionally be created on the image in any othersuitable manner, for example by a computer mouse.

In one possible step, the two-dimensional delivery information from theimage can optionally be mapped by computer network 136 to athree-dimensional virtual model of a first, second or other location,for example stored in computer network 136 or created by the computernetwork. The network 136 can optionally be programmed to register thetwo-dimensional indicator on the image to a precise location on thethree-dimensional virtual model to obtain a three-dimensional pickup ordelivery location. For example, computer network 136 can register thetwo-dimensional image of the location with the three-dimensional virtualmodel of the location so that at least some of the areas of thetwo-dimensional image, including for example the area or precisetwo-dimensional location identified by indicator 368, can optionally berepresented on the three-dimensional virtual model withthree-dimensional coordinates or other information. Suchthree-dimensional coordinates or other commission can optionally includecoordinates in three orthogonal axes, for example orthogonal X, Y. and Zaxes. In any embodiment, the entire two-dimensional image can optionallybe registered to the three-dimensional virtual model so thatthree-dimensional coordinates or other information can optionally beobtained from the three-dimensional virtual model for all locations onthe two-dimensional image.

In one possible step, the user provides a plurality of images, forexample a plurality of photographs, of a first, second or otherlocation, either with the request or otherwise, for use by computernetwork 136 in the creation of the three-dimensional virtual model. Theplurality of images, which can optionally include video, can optionallybe taken with the deliveror computing device 141, the delivereecomputing device 142 or any other electronic device, eithercontemporaneously with or prior to submitting the images. In onepossible step, the user scans terrain 366 viewable by the user with asensor of the device 141,142, such as a camera of the device, to producethe plurality of images, which can optionally include video. The terraincan include land, structures on the land or both. Such plurality ofimages can optionally be contemporaneously displayed on display 148 ofthe device or stored in the device 141,142 for later viewing on display148. The plurality of images can optionally be used by computer network136 in the creation of the three-dimensional virtual model of a first,second or other location.

In one possible step, the user provides a plurality of depth sensorsignals of the first, second or other location, either with a request orotherwise, for use by computer network 136 in the creation of thethree-dimensional virtual model. The plurality of depth sensor signalscan optionally be provided from one or more depth sensors included withthe deliveror computing device 141, the deliveree computing device 142or another device. For example, the device can optionally be pointed atthe second location and scanned by the depth sensor of the device forproviding the plurality of depth sensor signals. The plurality of depthsensor signals can optionally be used by computer network 136 in thecreation of the three-dimensional virtual model of the first, second orother location.

In one possible step, the request of the user can optionally includethree-dimensional orientation information associated with thetwo-dimensional image 367. Such orientation information can optionallybe utilized by computer network 136 in registering the image with thetwo-dimensional pickup, delivery or other information with thethree-dimensional virtual model of the first, second or other locationwhen deriving the three-dimensional pickup, delivery or other location.

The user's request to purchase a product can optionally be directed bycomputer network 136 to a single vendor of the product or to a pluralityof vendors of the product. In any embodiment, the user's location canoptionally be included in the request. The user's location can beprovided in any suitable manner, for example by being inputted by theuser. In any embodiment, the user's location can optionally becalculated or determined by computer network 136, for example by using alocation sensor of any suitable type provided in deliveree computingdevice 142. The request can optionally be directed to any plurality ofvendors of the product, including a plurality of vendors located withina predetermined or calculated distance of the user's location. Suchpredetermined distance can optionally be preprogrammed into computernetwork 136, or determined as a function of a plurality of variables,for example measured at the time of the request, and analyzed by thecomputer network 136 in accordance with a predetermined algorithm orotherwise.

The plurality of vendors can bid on the product, for example byproviding a reply or response to the user, who can be referred to as abuyer, through computer network 136. In any embodiment, the response ofeach vendor can optionally include a price quote from the vendor. In anyembodiment, computer network 136 can optionally be programmed to deliverthe lowest price quote from the plurality of vendors to the user.

In any embodiment, the response of each vendor can optionally include anindicator of the distance of the vendor from the location of the user.The indicator of distance can optionally include the location of thevendor, the distance of the vendor from the user's location or both. Thelocation of the vendor can optionally include a location associated withthe product of the vendor. The location of the vendor can be provided inany suitable manner, for example by being inputted by the vendor. In anyembodiment, the vendor's location can optionally be calculated ordetermined by computer network 136, for example by using a locationsensor of any suitable type provided in deliveror computing device 141or elsewhere.

In any embodiment, the response from each vendor can optionally includeone or more additional items of information with respect to the vendoror the product of the vendor, which items of information can be referredto as product purchase factors or features associated with the vendor.The product purchase factors or features can be of any suitable type andcan optionally include the price quote for the product from the vendor,the indicator of the distance of the vendor from the location of theuser, the location of the vendor, the distance of the vendor from theuser's location, the speed or quickness of the vendor in responding, aconfirmation from the vendor that the product is in stock, an estimateof travel time between the product of the vendor and the user, anestimate of the delivery time of the product to the user, a consumerrating of the vendor, a rating of the vendor from previous users orbuyers, the name of the vendor, the brand of the product, the time topick up the product of the vendor by at least one of the robots 114 ofsystem 113 or any combination of the foregoing. A condition of suchconfirmation from the vendor that the product is in stock can optionallyinclude the vendor checking its computer records to confirm that theproduct is in stock, visually observing the product in its store orwarehouse to confirm that the product is in stock or both and providingits results or confirmation to the computer network 136.

In any embodiment, the computer network 136 can optionally be programmedto deliver the lowest price quote for a product in stock, as determinedabove or otherwise, to the user. In any embodiment, the computer network136 delivers all price quotes and related information, including whetheror not the product is in stock, to the user.

In any embodiment, the user can then select which vendor to purchase theproduct from in response to receiving one or more responses includingthe price quotes. For example, computer network 136 can permit the userto select one of the plurality of vendors as a function of at least oneof the product purchase factors. The computer network 136 can optionallybe programmed to permit the user to select one of the plurality ofvendors as a function of any number of the product purchase factors. Thecomputer network 136 can permit the user to select one of the pluralityof vendors as a function of at least any two of the product purchasefactors, at least any three of the product purchase factors, at leastany four of the product purchase factors or at least any five of theproduct purchase factors. The computer network 136 can optionally beprogrammed to permit the user to select one of the plurality of vendorsas a function of the price of the product and at least one of the otherproduct purchase factors with respect to each of the plurality ofvendors. The computer network 136 can permit the user to select one ofthe plurality of vendors as a function of the price of the product andat least any two of the other product purchase factors, the price of theproduct and at least any three of the other product purchase factors,the price of the product and at least any four of the other productpurchase factors or the price of the product and at least any five ofthe other product purchase factors.

In any embodiment, the computer network 136 analyzes all the responsesfrom the plurality of vendors, in accordance with a predeterminedalgorithm or otherwise, and provides the user with a recommended productto purchase.

In any embodiment, the computer network 136 evaluates each response of avendor against a plurality of features of each of the plurality ofvendors. The features can be of any suitable type, for example anycombination or number of the features disclosed herein. The computernetwork can select a response as a function of such of evaluating step,recommend a response as a function of such evaluating step, permit theuser or buyer to select a response from one of the plurality of vendorsas a function of such evaluating step or any combination the foregoing.The evaluation step or method can be of any suitable type and canoptionally be programmed into computer network 136. In any embodiment,the evaluation step or method can optionally include a rankingregression method of any suitable type. For example, the evaluationmethod can optionally include using a ranking regression method toprovide an aggregate value for each of the respective vendors. Thecomputer network 136 can select or recommend a response from one of theplurality of vendors as a function of the aggregate value for each ofthe plurality of vendors. For example, the vendor with the highestaggregate value can optionally be selected or recommended, or the vendorwith the lowest aggregate value can optionally be selected orrecommended by computer network 136.

In one optional ranking regression method, the computer network 136assigns a numerical value to each of the plurality of features of avendor and determines an aggregate value for each vendor as a functionof the numerical value of each of the features of the respective vendor.The numerical can be of any suitable type, including a cost-based value.In any embodiment, the aggregate value for each vendor can optionally bethe sum of the numerical values of each of the plurality of features ofthe vendor.

In one optional ranking regression method, the computer network 136utilizes a neural network in evaluating the responses of the vendors. Inone such method, the computer network trains a neural network with a setof example vendors to provide a trained neural network and assigns anumerical value to each of the plurality of features for each of theplurality of vendors. The aggregate value for each vendor can optionallybe computed by network 136 applying the trained neural network to theplurality of features for each of the vendors.

In one optional ranking regression method, the computer network 136utilizes a kernel method in evaluating the responses of the vendors. Inone such method, the computer network trains a kernel method with a setof example vendors to provide a plurality of support vectors and aweight for each of the plurality of support vectors and assigns anumerical value to each of the plurality features for each of theplurality of vendors. The aggregate value for each vendor can optionallybe computed by network 136 applying the plurality of support vectors andthe weights to the plurality of features for each of the vendors.

In one optional ranking regression method, the computer network 136utilizes a decision tree in evaluating the responses of the vendors. Inone such method, the computer network trains a decision tree with a setof example vendors to provide a trained decision tree and assigns anumerical value to each of the plurality of features for each of theplurality of vendors. The aggregate value for each vendor can optionallybe computed by network 136 applying the trained decision tree to theplurality of features for each of the vendors.

The computer network 136 can permit the user or buyer to select one ofthe responses of the plurality of vendors, for example based upon arecommendation of the network, or the computer network can select one ofthe responses of the plurality of vendors autonomously, for examplewithout input from the user or buyer. The computer network 136 canpermit the user or buyer to accept the selected response, or thecomputer network can accept the selected response autonomously. Theacceptance can optionally include purchasing the article or product fromthe selected vendor. The acceptance of the request can optionallyinclude charging the user or buyer for the article, charging the user orbuyer for the delivery of the article or both. The foregoing method ofselecting a response from one of a plurality of vendors can optionallybe utilized independently of system 113 and the other methods andcomponents of system 113.

In any embodiment, a price quote of a vendor can optionally beincreased, decreased or otherwise altered or changed by the computernetwork 136 in accordance with real-time demand for the product. Forexample, if real-time to demand for a product is high, determined by thecomputer network in accordance with a predetermined algorithm orotherwise, each of the price quotes can optionally be increased beforedelivery to the user. The amount of the increase can optionally bedivided between the vendor and operator of system 113 in anypredetermined manner, for example all of such increase being directed tothe vendor, a portion of such interest being directed to the vendor anda portion to the operator of system 113 or all of such increase beingdirected to the operator of system 113.

Once one or more articles 121 are ready for delivery to a user or buyerin accordance with a request from the user, with or part of a purchaseof the article or otherwise, a robot 114 can be directed by computernetwork 136 to travel to the first location and pick up the one or morearticles 121 at the first location. The first location can optionally beat the physical location of the deliveror, nearby the physical locationof the deliveror, at a location associated with the deliveror, at alocation in the computer network 136 associated with the deliveror, at adesignation designated by computer network 136 with respect to thedeliveror or at another location provided by the deliveror. In anyembodiment, the first location can optionally be associated with avendor from which the user purchased a product. In such embodiments, thefirst location can optionally include a selected one of a plurality ofvendors, the location of a selected or other vendor, the location of thearticle or product of a selected or other vendor, any other suitablelocation or any combination of the foregoing. The robot, for examplerobot 114, can optionally be one of a plurality of robots, for exampleone of a plurality of robots that is in the vicinity of the firstlocation. The robot can optionally be one of the robots in a fleet orsub fleet of robots in system 113.

Any suitable method can be provided for computer network 136 to select,or recommend to the user, which of a plurality of robots, for examplerobots 114, should be directed to pickup, deliver or both the article orproduct. The selecting or recommending method can optionally beprogrammed into computer network 136. In one such suitable method, theselecting or recommending step can optionally include the computernetwork 136 evaluating a plurality of the robots against a pluralityfeatures of the plurality of robots. The features can be of any suitabletype and include any combination or number of features. For example, thefeatures can optionally include the distance of each robot from theproduct of the vendor, the load capacity of each robot, the remainingbattery life of each robot, the estimated travel time of each robot tothe product of the vendor, the estimated travel time of each robot tothe first location, any combination the foregoing or all of theforegoing. The computer network can select a robot as a function of suchevaluating step, recommend a robot as a function of such evaluatingstep, permit the user or buyer to select a robot as a function of suchevaluating step or any combination the foregoing.

In any embodiment, the evaluation step or method can optionally includea ranking regression method of any suitable type. For example, theevaluation method can optionally include using a ranking regressionmethod to provide an aggregate value for each of the respective robots.The computer network 136 can select or recommend a robot from one of theplurality of robots as a function of the aggregate value for each of theplurality of robots. For example, the robot with the highest aggregatevalue can optionally be selected or recommended, or the robot with thelowest aggregate value can optionally be selected or recommended bycomputer network 136.

In one optional ranking regression method, the computer network 136assigns a numerical value to each of the plurality of features of arobot and determines an aggregate value for each robot as a function ofthe numerical value of each of the features of the respective robot. Thenumerical can be of any suitable type, including a cost-based value. Inany embodiment, the aggregate value for each robot can optionally be thesum of the numerical values of each of the plurality of features of therobot.

In one optional ranking regression method, the computer network 136utilizes a neural network in evaluating each of the plurality of robots.In one such method, the computer network trains a neural network with aset of example robots to provide a trained neural network and assigns anumerical value to each of the plurality of features for each of theplurality of robots. The aggregate value for each robot can optionallybe computed by network 136 applying the trained neural network to theplurality of features for each of the robots.

In one optional ranking regression method, the computer network 136utilizes a kernel method in evaluating each of the plurality of robots.In one such method, the computer network trains a kernel method with aset of example robots to provide a plurality of support vectors and aweight for each of the plurality of support vectors and assigns anumerical value to each of the plurality features for each of theplurality of robots. The aggregate value for each robot can optionallybe computed by network 136 applying the plurality of support vectors andthe weights to the plurality of features for each of the robots.

In one optional ranking regression method, the computer network 136utilizes a decision tree in evaluating each of the plurality of robots.In one such method, the computer network trains a decision tree with aset of example robots to provide a trained decision tree and assigns anumerical value to each of the plurality of features for each of theplurality of robots. The aggregate value for each robot can optionallybe computed by network 136 applying the trained decision tree to theplurality of features for each of the robots.

The computer network 136 can permit the user or buyer to select one ofthe plurality of robots, for example based upon a recommendation of thenetwork, or the computer network can select one of the plurality ofrobots autonomously, for example without input form the user or buyer.The foregoing method of selecting one of a plurality of robots canoptionally be utilized independently of system 113 and the other methodsand components of the system 113.

The robot 114 can travel to the first location from a facilityassociated with the system, after a previous delivery, en route toanother delivery or otherwise. The route traveled by robot 114 to thefirst location can optionally include any portion of transportationnetwork 101. Such travel by robot 114, including any portion thereof,can be accomplished without human assistance, with human assistance,semi-autonomously or autonomously.

Once at the first location, the robot 114 can pick up the one or morearticles 121. Such pick up can include human delivery or placement ofthe article into the at least one container 186 of the robot or pickupof the article by the robot 114 without human assistance. The one ormore articles 121 can be transported directly by system 113 or placed ina transportation container, such as a transportation container 361,which can be transported by system 113. In one possible step, atransportation container 361, for example an open container of astandardized size and shape, is received by deliveror for use indelivering the one or more articles 121. Such one or more articles canoptionally be placed in the transportation container 361 by thedeliveror for pickup by a robot 114 of system 113. For simplicity, themethods herein shall discuss transport of one or more articles 121within a transportation container 361, it being understood that suchmethods apply equally to transport of one or more articles 121 directly,that is not in a transportation container 361.

Computer network 136 can cause or direct robot 114 to pick up thetransportation container 361 at the first location. The computer network136 can cause or direct robot 114 to move or place the transportationcontainer 361 inside the robot at the first location. In any method ofthe invention, the pickup of the article by robot 114 can optionallyinclude picking up the transportation container 361 containing thearticle 121, from a support surface such as the ground upon which thetransportation container 361 has been left for pickup (see FIGS. 32 and33). Such actions by robot 114, including any part thereof, can beaccomplished without human assistance, with human assistance,semi-autonomously or autonomously. Such actions can optionally includethe use of computer vision by robot 114. In any embodiment, thetransport mechanism of the at least one container 186, for exampletransport mechanism 329 of one of containers 115 of the at least onecontainer 186, can optionally be used in this regard. In any embodiment,one of the lower containers 115 of the robot 114, for example one ofcontainers 115 sitting directly on base 281 of the chassis 187, canoptionally be utilized for receiving the transportation container 361.

In one possible step of such method, the container 115 can optionally bepositioned by robot 114 so that front end 306 of one of the containers115 of robot 114 is nearby or on the ground in the vicinity of thetransportation container 361 containing the article 121. For example,first and second wheel assemblies 181, 182, including pivot assemblies217, 227 thereof, can optionally be used to maneuver robot 114 so thatthe front end 306 of the container 115 is adjacent one side of thetransportation container 361, such as one side wall 362 of thetransportation container 361. In one possible step, the opening 317 ofthe container 115 can optionally be aligned or registered with thetransportation container 361. Robot 114, for example one end 176, 177 ofthe robot, can push transportation container 361 over the ground to aposition up against a stationary object 371, for example an immovableobject such as a curb, wall, post or door. In one possible step, thedeliveror places the transportation container 361 against a stationaryobject 371. Attachment assembly 249 of the robot, including first andsecond translational adjustment mechanisms 252, 253 and first and secondpivot assemblies 261, 262, can optionally be used to lower chassis 187towards or onto the ground, for example as illustrated in FIG. 32, andif desired tilt the chassis 187 so that one end 282, 283 of the base 281of the chassis is closer to the ground than the other end, for examplefirst end 282 of base 281 as shown in FIG. 32.

In one possible step of such method, such lowered or tilted chassis 187,or both, can facilitate robot 114 pushing or urging transportationcontainer 361 up against such the stationary object 371. Once door 321of the appropriate transport container 115 of robot 114 is opened, forexample by door opening mechanism 341, the front of the transportmechanism 329 of the container 115 can optionally be pushed againsttransportation container 361 so as to engage the transportationcontainer and urge or push it against object 371. In any embodiment, aportion of the transportation container 361 extends inside the transportcontainer 115, for example into interior 316 of the transport container,so as to contact transport mechanism 329, for example the front end ofbelt 336. The robot 114 can urge the forward or front end of belt 336 ofthe transport mechanism 329 of the container 115 against thetransportation container 361 and activate motor 337 of the transportmechanism to rotate the forward end of the belt 336 upwardly so as tolift the engaged end 362 or other surface of the transportationcontainer 361 upwardly onto the belt 336. Transport mechanism 329 canthen be utilized to move the transportation container 361 into theinterior of the robot, for example into the interior 316 of thetransport container 115. The robot 114 can optionally be moved forwardlyduring this process to facilitate the transportation container 361 beinglifted onto the top surface of the belt 336, moved into container 115 orboth. The pickup or loading process can optionally be controlled bycomputer network 136, including robot computer 156, which can utilizeinput from one or more of sensors 162 and weight sensor 356. Thestructure or components of the robot for picking up an article 121 ortransportation container 361 can be of any suitable type and referred toas a pickup assembly, mechanism or apparatus. For example, such pickupassembly, mechanism or apparatus can optionally include attachmentassembly 249, translational adjustment mechanisms 252, 253, pivotassemblies 261, 262, transport mechanism 329 or any combination of theforegoing.

Upon receipt of the transportation container 361, and the one or morearticles 121 therein, door 321 of the container 115 can optionally beclosed and robot 114 directed by computer network 136 to the secondlocation. In one possible step of the method, signals received bycomputer network 136 from weight sensors 356 in the transport container115 can optionally be utilized to determine whether the weight of thearticle 121 received by the container 115 conforms with the articledesignated for delivery by robot 114. In one possible step of themethod, computer network 136 can record the receipt by transportcontainer 115 of article 121 or transportation container 361 containingthe article 121.

In any method of the invention, the pickup of the transportationcontainer 361 by robot 114 can optionally include causing or directingthe robot to pick up or retrieve the transportation container 361 from apickup container 116, which can optionally be a stationary containerinto which the transportation container 361 has been left for pickup. Insuch methods, the pickup location can be referred to as being inside thepickup container 116. The transportation container 361, with the one ormore articles 121 therein, is placed in the pickup container 116. In anyembodiment or possible step where a human, which for example canoptionally be the deliveror or an agent of the deliveror, is authorizedor directed to place the transportation container in the pickupcontainer 116, the computer network 136 can provide the human with anidentifier of the pickup container 116, the location of the pickupcontainer 116 and a code or key to access or unlock the pickup containerso as to permit the article to be placed in the container 116. The codeor key can be static or dynamic. In any embodiment, the humancommunicates with the computer network 136 after arriving at the pickupcontainer 116 to unlock the container, for example to unlock door latch349 of the container 115. In any embodiment, a physical key canoptionally be utilized by the human to gain entry to the pickupcontainer 116. The human can then manually open door 321 of thecontainer 116 in any suitable manner or utilizing any suitable dooropening apparatus, for example by utilizing latch 343′ to disengage thedoor from cable portion 362 a and thus permit the door to be manuallyopened by the human. In any embodiment, the human can activate transportmechanism 329 of the container 116 to facilitate placement of thetransportation container 361 within the pickup container 116. After thecontainer 116 receives the transportation container 361, the human canmanually close door 321 of the container and reengage latch 343′ withcable portion 362 a. In any embodiment, the closing of the door 321 canserve to automatically engage latch 343′ with cable 362, activate doorlatch 349 or both so that the container 116 is then locked andtamperproof.

Such pickup by robot 114 of the transportation container 361 from pickupcontainer 116, including any step or part thereof, can be accomplishedwithout human assistance, with human assistance, semi-autonomously orautonomously. In one possible step of such method, the desired containerof robot 114, for example one of transport containers 115, canoptionally be positioned by robot 114 so that front end 306 of thetransport container 115 is nearby the front end 306 of the pickupcontainer 116 (see FIG. 34). For example, first and second wheelassemblies 181, 182, including pivot assemblies 217, 227 thereof, canoptionally be used to maneuver robot 114 so that the front end 306 ofthe transport container 115 is nearby the front end 306 of the pickupcontainer 116.

In one possible step, the robot 114 aligns or registers the opening 317of the transport container 115 with the opening 317 of the pickupcontainer 116, for example using computer vision. In one possible step,the robot aligns or registers the transport mechanism 329 of thetransport container 115, which can optionally be a conveyor system, withthe transport mechanism 329 of the pickup container 116, which canoptionally be a conveyor system. The transport mechanism of the pickupcontainer 116 can be referred to as a pickup transport mechanism, adelivery transport mechanism, any of the other terms herein identifiedwith respect thereto or any combination of the foregoing. In onepossible step, the alignment of the two transport mechanisms 329, whichcan each be a conveyor system, can result in the top surface of therespective conveyor belts 336 of the containers being substantiallyparallel to each other for permitting transportation containers movedoff of or delivered by the belt 336 of the pickup container 116 to bepicked up by or received by the belt 336 of the transport container 115.In any embodiment, the front of the conveyor belts 336 of the twocontainers can optionally be relatively close to each other so as tofacilitate or permit a transportation container 361 moving off oneconveyor belt to be picked up by the opposing conveyor belt. In anyembodiment, the conveyor belts of the two containers 115 can optionallybe substantially horizontally aligned with each other so as tofacilitate a transfer of a transportation container 361 between the twoconveyor belts.

The robot 114 can optionally include an orientation assembly ormechanism which permits such alignment or registration. The transportcontainer 115 can optionally be translated, pivoted, tilted, rotated orany combination of the foregoing by the robot 114, for example by theorientation assembly or mechanism of the robot, as part of suchalignment or registration process. For example, the computer network 136can cause robot 114 to translate transport container 115 in at least oneof a vertical direction and a sideways direction and to pivot thetransport container 115 about at least one axis so as to align thetransport container 115 with the pickup container 116 or any othercontainer or receiver of contents of the transport container 115. Suchorientation assembly or mechanism can optionally include the threeorthogonal axes adjustment mechanism hereof, the three orthogonal axespivot or rotation mechanism hereof, or both. For example, one or morewheels of the robot 114, for example wheels 206, 207 and 208 of eachbogie 201, can optionally be utilized to move the transport container115 forwardly or rearwardly with respect to the pickup container 116,front wheels 206 and rear wheels 207, as pivoted 90° by respective pivotassemblies 217, 227, can optionally be utilized to move the transportcontainer 115 sideways with respect to the pickup container,translational mechanisms 252, 253 can optionally be utilized to move thetransport container 115 upwardly or downwardly with respect to thepickup container 116 or any combination of the foregoing can occur. As afurther example, one or more of the wheels of the robot 114, for examplefront wheels 206 and rear rules 207, can optionally be pivoted 45° byrespective pivot assemblies 217, 227 to thereafter pivot or rotatetransport container 115 about axis 183 with respect to pick up container116, first and second pivot assemblies 261, 262 can optionally beutilized to pivot or rotate transport container 115 about axis 202 withrespect to pickup container 116, first and second translationaladjustment mechanisms 252, 253 can optionally be utilized to pivot orrotate the transport container 115 about axis 250 with respect to thepickup container or any combination of the foregoing can occur.

In one possible step of such method, the positioning of the transportcontainer 115 with respect to the pickup container 116 can optionally becontrolled by computer network 136, including robot computer 156, whichcan utilize input from one or more of sensors 162. In any embodiment,one or both of cameras 293, 294 on the approaching end 176 or 177 ofrobot 114 can optionally be utilized by computer network 136 tovisualize front end 306 of the pickup container 116 and to compare theinput sensor signals received from the cameras 293, 294 with storedimages or other data with respect to the pickup container and utilizealgorithms stored in the computer network 136 to move the front end 306of transport container 115 into registration with the front end 306 ofthe pickup container 116 so that the openings 317 of the two containerscan optionally be aligned or registered with each other. In anyembodiment, sensor input signals from radar or other distance sensors ofrobot 114 and from IMU sensor 296 can optionally be utilized by thecomputer network 136 in such registration and alignment step.

Upon registration of the opening 317 of the transport container 115 withthe opening 317 of the pickup container 116, in any embodiment orpossible step the face 352 of the transport container 115 engages theface 352 of the pickup container 116, permitting joining devices 351 toengage and secure the transport container 115 and the pickup container116 together. Power can optionally be transferred from robot 114 to thepickup container 116, for example by engagement of the electricalconnectors 353 on the transport container 115 with the respectiveelectrical connectors 53 on the pickup container 116, so as to energizesome or all of components 298 of the pickup container 116. For example,transceiver 171, computer 357, door opening mechanism 341, door latch349, and transport mechanism 329 of the pickup container 116, or anycombination thereof, can optionally be so energized by the robot.Computer network 136 and robot computer 156 can wirelessly communicatewith container computer 327, for example by means of the robottransceiver 163 and container receiver 171. In any embodiment,communications connector 358 of the containers 115, 116 can optionallybe utilized to provide hardwired communications between the containers.The computer network 136 can communicate with the pickup container 116confirm the identity or address of the pickup container 116, to providea suitable key or code to the pickup container for authorizing access tothe pickup container, to provide direction to the pickup container orany combination of the foregoing. The key or code can be static ordynamic. In one possible step of the method, signals received bycomputer network 136, for example through robot computer 156 andcontainer computer 357, from weight sensors 356 in the pickup container116 can optionally be utilized to determine whether the weight of thearticle 121 therein conforms with the article designated for delivery.

In one possible step, the transportation container 361 and the one ormore articles therein can then be transferred or moved in any suitablemanner, for example by the transport mechanisms 329 of the containers116, 115, from the pickup container 116 to the robot 114, for example tothe transport container 115 of the robot. In one possible step, when oneor both of the containers 116, 115 are closeable containers, thecomputer network 136 can open one or both of the containers. Forexample, computer network 136 can cause or direct the door openingmechanisms 341 of both containers 115, 116 to open the respective doors321 of the containers so as to permit communication between theinteriors 316 of the containers. Computer network 136 can further causeor direct the transport mechanisms 329 of both containers to beactivated so as to move or transfer transportation container 361 fromthe interior of pickup container 116 to the interior of transportcontainer 115 on robot 114 (see FIG. 34). For example, the computernetwork 136 can cause one or more articles of transportation containersto be retrieved from the pickup container 116 and placed in thetransport container 115. More broadly, the computer network 136 cancause a first container to move an article or transportation containerout of the first container, a second container to move an article ortransportation container into the second container or both. The pickupcontainer 116 can deliver one or more articles or transportationcontainers to the transport container 115. For example, transportmechanism 329 of the pickup container 116 can serve to move thetransportation container 361 out of the container 116 for delivery tothe transport container 115, such as until the transportation container361 touches and engages the transport mechanism 329 of the transportcontainer 115. The transport mechanism 329 of container 115 canthereafter move the transportation container 361 into the interior 316of the transport container 115. Such transfer, from the conveyor systemof pickup container 116 to the conveyor system of transport container115, or more broadly from one container to another container or from oneconveyor system to another conveyor system, can be referred to as aconveyor system transfer. Once the transportation container 361 has beenfully received by transport container 115, the computer network 136 cancause or direct the doors 321 of both containers 115, 116 to close andmove robot 114 away from pickup container 116. In one possible step ofthe method, signals received by computer network 136 from weight sensors356 in the transport container 115 can optionally be utilized todetermine whether the weight of the article therein conforms with thearticle designated for delivery by robot 114. In one possible step ofthe method, computer network 136 can record the receipt by transportcontainer 115 of transportation container 361 containing the article121. Any or all actions, directions, commands or instructions of thecomputer network 136 to the pickup container 116 can optionally bethrough robot 114, for example robot computer 156.

In a further step of the method of the invention, robot 114 can benavigated by computer network 136, including robot computer 156, overtransportation network 101 from the first location to the secondlocation, for example to deliver one or more articles 121 ortransportation containers 361 to the second location. Such travel byrobot 114, including any portion thereof, can be accomplished withouthuman assistance, with human assistance, semi-autonomously orautonomously. The navigating step can optionally include the computernetwork 136 accessing a virtual map to chart a course over thetransportation network 101 from the first location to the secondlocation. The route of robot 114 over transportation network 101 canoptionally be determined initially by computer network 136, for exampleby considering factors such as traffic and weather, and can optionallyinclude travel over roads, bike paths and sidewalks for example. Theroute of robot 114 can optionally be changed, for example as a result ofinput received by the computer network 136 from any of sensors 162. Oneexample of a route travel by robot 114 between a first location and asecond location is illustrated in FIG. 1. The first location canoptionally be in the vicinity of a deliveror 118, for example a pickupcontainer 116 associated with the deliveror 118. Robot 114 is showntraveling on a route that includes an alley 106, a sidewalk 104, acrosswalk 107, a bike path 103 and a further crosswalk 107, sidewalk 104and bike path 103 before reaching deliveree 119, for example a recipientcontainer 117 associated with the deliveree 119. Such navigation canoptionally include the use of computer vision.

In any embodiment or possible step, the input signals from any or all ofsensors 162 can optionally be used for relaying real-time informationwith respect to such navigation and the possible or contemplated routesof robot 114 to computer network 136 for analysis. In any embodiment,the input signals from any or all of sensors 162 can optionally be usedfor observing the terrain encountered by robot 114, which can optionallybe used by the computer network 136 to prepare or update maps of theterrain, including changes in transient, dynamic or other objects, newlytraveled routes, newly encountered buildings or structures and otherinformation that may be useful in navigating other robots betweenlocations. At least some such maps can be two-dimensional orthree-dimensional, and in each case can optionally be updated on areal-time basis by the robots 114 of system 113.

The delivery by robot 114 of the transportation container 361 at thesecond location can be performed in any suitable manner. In any methodof the invention, the article 121 can optionally be retrieved from therobot 114 by a human at the second location. The human can remove theone or more articles from the transportation container 361, and leavethe transportation container 361 in robot or retain the transportationcontainer 361 for future use with system 113. Computer network 136 cancause or direct the robot to deliver the transportation container 361 atthe second location, for example free of human assistance. In any methodof the invention, the delivery of the transportation container 361 bythe robot 114 can optionally include delivery of the transportationcontainer 361 to a recipient container 117 at the second location. Insuch methods, the recipient or delivery location can be referred to asbeing inside the recipient container 117. Such delivery by robot 114 ofthe transportation container 361 to the recipient container 117,including any step or part thereof, can be accomplished without humanassistance, with human assistance, semi-autonomously or autonomously.The opening 317 of the transport container 115 of the robot 114 canoptionally be registered or aligned with the opening 317 of therecipient container 117, for example in a manner similar to thatdiscussed above with respect to the pickup of an article by robot 114from a pickup container 116 (see FIGS. 34-35, 39 and 41). Such aligningor registering can optionally be accomplished with the assistance ofcomputer vision. In any method of the invention, the desired containerof robot 114, for example one of transport containers 115, canoptionally be positioned by robot 114 so that front end 306 of thetransport container 115 is nearby the front end 306 of the recipientcontainer 117. For example, first and second wheel assemblies 181, 182,including pivot assemblies 217, 227 thereof, can optionally be used tomaneuver robot 114 so that the front end 306 of the transport container115 is nearby the front end 306 of the recipient container 117.

In one possible step, the robot 114 aligns or registers the opening 317of the transport container 115 with the opening 317 of the recipientcontainer 117. In one possible step, the robot aligns or registers thetransport mechanism 329 of the transport container 115, which canoptionally be a conveyor system, with the transport mechanism 329 of therecipient container 117, which can optionally be a conveyor system. Thetransport mechanism of the recipient container 117 can be referred to asa recipient transport mechanism, a receiving transport mechanism, any ofthe other terms herein identified with respect thereto or anycombination of the foregoing. In one possible step, the alignment of thetwo transport mechanisms 329, which can each be a conveyor system, canresult in the top surface of the respective conveyor belts 336 of thecontainers being substantially parallel to each other for permittingtransportation containers moved off of or delivered by the belt 336 ofthe transport container 115 to be picked up by or received by the belt336 of the recipient container 116. In any embodiment, the front of theconveyor belts 336 of the two containers can optionally be relativelyclose to each other so as to facilitate or permit transportationcontainer 361 moving off one conveyor belt to be picked up by theopposing conveyor belt. In any embodiment, the conveyor belts of the twocontainers 115 can optionally be substantially horizontally aligned witheach other so as to facilitate a transfer of a transportation container361 between the two conveyor belts.

The robot 114 can optionally include an orientation assembly ormechanism which permits such alignment or registration. The transportcontainer 115 can optionally be translated, pivoted, tilted, rotated orany combination of the foregoing by the robot 114, for example by theorientation assembly or mechanism of the robot, as part of suchalignment or registration process. For example, the computer network 136can cause robot 114 to translate transport container 115 in at least oneof a vertical direction and a sideways direction and to pivot thetransport container 115 about at least one axis so as to align thetransport container 115 with the recipient container 117. Suchorientation mechanism can optionally include the three orthogonal axesadjustment mechanism hereof, the three orthogonal axes pivot or rotationmechanism hereof, or both. For example, one or more wheels of the robot114, for example wheels 206, 207 and 208 of each bogie 201, canoptionally be utilized to move the transport container 115 forwardly orrearwardly with respect to the recipient container 117, front wheels 206and rear wheels 207, as pivoted 90° by respective pivot assemblies 217,227, can optionally be utilized to move the transport container 115sideways with respect to the recipient container, translationalmechanisms 252, 253 can optionally be utilized to move the transportcontainer 115 upwardly or downwardly with respect to the recipientcontainer 117 or any combination of the foregoing. As a further example,one or more of the wheels of the robot 114, for example front wheels 206and rear rules 207, can optionally be pivoted 45° by respective pivotassemblies 217, 227 to thereafter pivot or rotate transport container115 about axis 183 with respect to recipient container 117, first andsecond pivot assemblies 261, 262 can optionally be utilized to pivot orrotate transport container 115 about axis 202 with respect to recipientcontainer 117, first and second translational adjustment mechanisms 252,253 can optionally be utilized to pivot or rotate the transportcontainer 115 about axis 250 with respect to the recipient container orany combination of the foregoing.

In one possible step, the positioning of the transport container 115with respect to the recipient container 117 can optionally be controlledby computer network 136, including robot computer 156, which can utilizeinput from one or more of sensors 162. In any embodiment, one or both ofcameras 293, 294 on the approaching end 176 or 177 of robot 114 canoptionally be utilized by computer network 136 to visualize front end306 of the recipient container 117 and to compare the input sensorsignals received from the cameras 293, 294 with stored images or otherdata with respect to the recipient container and utilize algorithmsstored in the computer network 136 to move the front end 306 oftransport container 115 into registration with the front end 306 of therecipient container 116 so that the openings 317 of the two containerscan optionally be aligned or registered with each other. In anyembodiment, sensor input signals from radar or other distance sensors ofrobot 114 and from IMU sensor 296 can optionally be utilized by thecomputer network 136 in such registration and alignment step.

Once the containers 115, 117 are aligned so that the openings 317thereof face each other, in one possible step the containers canoptionally be secured together for example by joining devices 351. Inone possible step, power can optionally be transferred from the robot114 to the recipient container 117, for example by means of electricalconnectors 353 of the two containers, so as to power some or all ofcomponents 298 of the recipient container 117. For example, transceiver171, computer 357, the transport mechanism 329, door opening mechanism341 and door latch 349 of the recipient container 117, or anycombination thereof, can optionally be so energized by the robot.Computer network 136 and robot computer 156 can wirelessly communicatewith computer 357 of the recipient container 117, for example by meansof the robot transceiver 163 and recipient container receiver 171. Inany embodiment, communications connector 358 of the containers 115, 117can optionally be utilized to provide hardwired communications betweenthe containers. The computer network 136 can communicate with therecipient container 117 to confirm the identity or address of therecipient container 117, to provide a suitable key or code to therecipient container for authorizing access to the pickup container, toprovide direction to the pickup container, or any combination of theforegoing. The key or code can be static or dynamic.

Computer network 136 can cause robot 114 to remove the transportationcontainer 361 from within the robot for delivery to the second location.In one possible step, the transportation container 361 and the one ormore articles therein can then be transferred or moved in any suitablemanner, for example by the transport mechanisms 329 of the containers115, 117, from the robot 114, for example the transport container 115 ofthe robot, to the recipient container 117. In one possible step, whenone or both of the containers 115, 117 are closeable containers, thecomputer network 136 can open one or both of the containers. Forexample, computer network 136 can direct the door opening mechanisms 341of both containers 115, 117 to open the respective doors 321 of thecontainers so as to permit communication between the interiors 316 ofthe containers. Computer network 136 can further direct the transportmechanisms 329 of both containers to be activated so as to movetransportation container 361 from the interior of transport container115 on robot 114 to the interior of recipient container 117 (see FIG.34). For example, transport mechanism 329 of the transport container 115can serve to move the transportation container 361 out of the container115 for delivery to the recipient container 117 or other secondlocation, for example until the transportation container 361 touches andengages the transportation mechanism 329 of the recipient container 117.Computer network 136 can cause recipient container 117 to movetransportation container 361 inside the recipient container at thesecond location. For example, the transport mechanism 329 of therecipient container 117 can move or place the transportation container361 into the interior 316 of the recipient container 117. Once thetransportation container 361 has been fully received by recipientcontainer 117, the computer network 136 can direct the doors 321 of bothcontainers 115, 117 to close and move robot 114 away from recipientcontainer 117. Such transfer, from the conveyor system of transportcontainer 115 to the conveyor system of recipient container 117, can bereferred to as a conveyor system to conveyor system transfer. In onepossible step of the method, signals received by computer network 136,for example through robot computer 156 and container computer 357, fromweight sensors 356 in the recipient container 117 can optionally beutilized to determine whether the weight of the article 121 thereinconforms with the articles designated for delivery to the recipientcontainer 117. In one possible step of the method, computer network 136can record the receipt by recipient container 117 of transportationcontainer 361 containing the article 121. Any or all actions,directions, commands or instructions of the computer network 136 to therecipient container 117 can optionally be through robot 114, for examplerobot computer 156.

The pickup containers 116 and recipient containers 117 of the inventioncan be of any suitable type, for example any stationary container 115located at the first or pickup location, at the second or drop offlocation, at another location within transportation network 101 or atany other location. As illustrated in FIG. 34, for example, a pickupcontainer 116 or a recipient container 117 can optionally be a container115 rigidly mounted to a rigid support 376, such as a post, extendingupwardly from the ground. The container 115 can optionally be mountedatop the post 376, as shown in FIG. 34, or at any other location on thepost 376. As illustrated in FIG. 35, for example, a pickup container 116or a recipient container 117 can optionally be a container 115 rigidlymounted to a rigid support 377, such as a wall. The wall 377 canoptionally be part of a building or part of any other structure, forexample the wall of the home of the deliveree or user. The wall 377 canoptionally be the outer wall of the structure, such that the container115 extends into the structure. The majority of the container 115 canextend inside, or be located in, the structure. In any embodiment, frontend 306 of the container 115 can optionally be substantially flush withthe outer surface of wall 337. In any embodiment, the container 115 canoptionally include a second or other opening (not shown) into theinterior 316 of the container that can optionally be accessed frominside the structure, for example by the deliveree or user. Such secondor other opening can optionally be lockable, and for example include adoor, or be not lockable. Such second or other opening can optionally beinside the building, so as to permit access to the container 115 fromwithin the building.

In any embodiment or possible step where a human, which for example canoptionally be the deliveree, an agent of the deliveree or purchaser ofthe one or more articles 121, is authorized or directed to retrieve thetransportation container 361 in the recipient container 117, thecomputer network 136 can provide the human with an identifier of therecipient container 117, the location of the recipient container 117 anda code or key to access or unlock the recipient container so as topermit the article 121 to be removed from the container 117. The code orkey can be static or dynamic. In any embodiment, the human communicateswith the computer network 136 after arriving at the recipient container117 to unlock the container, for example to unlock door latch 349 of thecontainer 115. In any embodiment, a physical key can optionally beutilized by the human to gain entry to the recipient container 117. Thehuman can then manually open door 321 of the container 117 in anysuitable manner or utilizing any suitable door opening apparatus, forexample by utilizing latch 343′ to disengage the door from cable portion362 a and thus permit the door to be manually opened by the human. Inany embodiment, the human can activate transport mechanism 329 of thecontainer 117 to facilitate removal of the transportation container 361from the recipient container 117. After the transportation container 361has been removed from the recipient container 117, the human canmanually close door 321 of the container and reengage latch 343′ withcable portion 362 a. In any embodiment, the closing of the door 321 canserve to automatically engage latch 343′ with cable 362, activate doorlatch 349 or both so that the container 117 is then locked andtamperproof. The human can remove the one or more articles 121 from thetransportation container 361. In any embodiment, the human retains thetransportation container 361 for use at a later time with system 113. Inany embodiment, the human leaves the transportation container 361 withinthe recipient container 117 for retrieval by a robot 114 of the systemat a later time.

In any method of the invention, the delivery of the transportationcontainer 361 by robot 114 can optionally include dropping off orplacing the transportation container 361 containing the article 121 ontoa support surface such as the ground, for example using computer vision.Such delivery by robot 114 of the transportation container 361,including any step or part thereof, can be accomplished without humanassistance, with human assistance, semi-autonomously or autonomously.The drop off location can optionally be determined by any suitablealgorithm included in computer network 136, for example an observationby sensors 162 carried by robot 114 of various potential drop offlocations at the second location and comparing them to categories ofrated drop off locations stored in computer network 136. In any methodof the invention, computer network 136 determines which highest rateddrop off location is available and directs the robot 114 to drop thetransportation container 361 at such location.

In one possible step, the drop off location can optionally be a specificor precise location at the second location designated by the user, forexample included in the request of the user. The specific or preciselocation, as noted above, can optionally be a specific or preciselocation on the ground at the second location as well as on othersurfaces or in containers 115 at the second location. In any method ofthe invention, sensors 162 of robot 114 compare images of the terrain atand around the second location with the photograph or other imageprovided by the user, for example image 367 with indicator 368 thereonprovided with the user's request, to locate or determine at the secondlocation the precise drop off location shown by indicator 368 orotherwise identified by the user on its photograph or other image. Robot114 can optionally be directed by computer network 136, including robotcomputer 156, to drop the article or transportation container 361 atsuch precise location. In any embodiment, the drop off location has beenindicated by the deliveree by any other suitable means or manner.

Computer network 136 can cause or direct robot 114 to drop off or placethe transportation container 361 on the ground at the specified locationor otherwise at the second location, for example free of humanassistance. The routine for robot 114 dropping the transportationcontainer 361 onto the ground or other support surface can be performedin any suitable manner, for example similar to the routine discussedabove with respect to the pickup by robot 114 of transportationcontainer 361 left for pickup on the ground or other support surface. Inany embodiment, the transport mechanism of the at least one container186, for example transport mechanism 329 of one of containers 115 of theat least one container 186, can optionally be used in this regard. Inany embodiment, one of the lower containers 115 of the robot 114, forexample one of containers 115 sitting directly on base 281 of thechassis 187, can optionally be utilized when the transportationcontainer 361 is to be dropped off on the ground or on another supportsurface at the second location.

In one possible step of such method, the container 115 can optionally bepositioned by robot 114 so that front end 306 of one of the containers115 is nearby or on the drop off location. For example, first and secondwheel assemblies 181, 182, including pivot assemblies 217, 227 thereof,can optionally be used to maneuver robot 114 so that the front end 306of the container 115 is adjacent or nearby the drop off location.Attachment assembly 249 of the robot, including first and secondtranslational adjustment mechanisms 252, 253 and first and second pivotassemblies 261, 262, can optionally be used to lower chassis 187 towardsor onto the ground. If desired, the chassis 187 can optionally be tiltedso that one end 282, 283 of the base 281 of the chassis is closer to theground than the other end, for example the first end 282 of the base 281as illustrated in FIGS. 32-33. Once door 321 of the appropriatetransport container 115 of robot 114 is opened, for example by dooropening mechanism 341, transport mechanism 329 within the transportcontainer 115 can optionally be utilized to move the transportationcontainer 361 out of the interior 316 of the robot, for example out ofopening 317 of interior 316 of the transport container 115, and onto theground at the drop off location. The robot 114 can optionally be movedrearwardly during this process to facilitate the transportationcontainer 361 being moved out of the container 115, being dropped orplaced on the ground at the drop off location, or both. The drop off orunloading process can optionally be controlled by computer network 136,including robot computer 156, which can utilize input from one or moreof sensors 162 and weight sensor 356.

Upon delivery of the transportation container 361 to the drop offlocation, and the one or more articles therein, door 321 of thecontainer 115 can optionally be closed and robot 114 directed bycomputer network 136 to another location. In one possible step of themethod, signals received by computer network 136 from weight sensors 356in the transport container 115 can optionally be utilized to conformthat the transportation container 361 is no longer in the container 115of the robot 114. In one possible step of the method, computer network136 can record the delivery by robot 114 of the transportation container361 from the transport container 115 of the robot to the drop offlocation. A human, for example the deliveree or purchaser, can removethe one or more articles 121 from the transportation container 361. Inany embodiment, the human retains the transportation container 361 foruse at a later time with system 113.

System 113 can optionally include delivery of transportation container361 by robot 114 at other locations that do not include a container 115.Computer network 136 can cause or direct the robot 114 to deliver thetransportation container 361 at such other locations, for example freeof human assistance. For example, the second or drop off location canoptionally be inside of any suitable structure, for example a building.In any embodiment, the drop off location can optionally include asupport surface for receiving the transportation container 361. In anymethod of the invention, robot 114 can deliver transportation container361 to an opening 381 provided in a wall 382 of a structure (see FIG.36). Such delivery by robot 114 of the transportation container 361,including any step or part thereof, can be accomplished without humanassistance, with human assistance, semi-autonomously or autonomously.Such delivery can optionally be accomplished with the assistance ofcomputer vision. The opening 381 can access the interior of thestructure. Computer network 136 and robot computer 156 can verify thecorrectness of the opening 381 in any suitable manner, for example byvisualizing the opening 381 with robot cameras 293, 294 and comparingthe images received from such cameras with an image or other dataassociated with the opening stored in computer network 136. In anyembodiment, such verification can optionally be accomplished by computernetwork 136 wirelessly or otherwise communicating, for example throughrobot transceiver 163, with a transmitting device (not shown) previouslyverified by system 113 as being associated with the opening 381.

In any embodiment, the opening 381 can have a size approximating thesize, for example not less than the size, of the opening 317 of thetransport container 115. Wall 382 can optionally include a supportsurface 383, for example the horizontal surface forming the bottom ofopening 381, for receiving the transportation container 361. In anyembodiment, support or receiving surface 383 extends to adownwardly-inclined ramp 384 having a base wall 386 at the end thereoffor forming a receptacle 387 for receiving the transportation container361 from opening 382. A suitable support 387 can optionally be providedfor supporting the receptacle 388 above the ground.

In one possible step, robot 114 can approach and register or aligncontainer opening 317 of the robot with the opening 381 in the wall 382in any suitable manner, for example in any of the manner manners andmethods discussed above for registering or aligning a transportcontainer 115 with an opening 317 or transport mechanism 329 of a pickupcontainer 116 or a recipient container 117. In one possible step,opening 317 of the transport container 115 can optionally be pushed upflush with opening 381 in wall 382 as part of such alignment andregistration. In one possible step, robot 114 aligns or registerstransport mechanism 329 of the transport container 115, which canoptionally be a conveyor system, with support or bottom surface 383 ofthe opening 381. In one possible step, the alignment of the transportmechanism 329 with bottom surface 383 can result in the top surface ofthe conveyor belt 336 of the container 115 being substantially parallelwith surface 383 for permitting transportation containers moved off ofor delivered by the belt 336 of the transport container 115 to bereceived by the surface 383. In any embodiment, the front of theconveyor belt 336 of the transport container is relatively close to thesurface 383 so as to facilitate or permit a transportation container 361moving off the conveyor belt to be received by the bottom surface 383 ofthe opening 381. In any embodiment, the top surface of the conveyor belt336 of the transport container 115 can optionally be substantiallyhorizontally aligned with bottom surface 383 so as to facilitate atransfer of a transportation container 361 from the conveyor belt intothe opening 381.

In one possible step, the positioning of the transport container 115with respect to the opening 381 can optionally be controlled by computernetwork 136, including robot computer 156, which can utilize input fromone or more of sensors 162. In any embodiment, one or both of cameras293, 294 on the approaching end 176 or 177 of robot 114 can optionallybe utilized by computer network 136 to visualize opening 381 and tocompare the input sensor signals received from the cameras 293, 294 withstored images or other data with respect to the opening 381 or similaropenings or structures and utilize algorithms stored in the computernetwork 136 to move the front end 306 of transport container 115 intoregistration or alignment with the opening 381. In any embodiment,sensor input signals from radar or other distance sensors of robot 114and from IMU sensor 296 can optionally be utilized by the computernetwork 136 in such registration and alignment step.

In one possible step, transportation container 361 can optionally betransferred or moved by transport mechanism 329 of the transportcontainer 115 from the robot into the opening 381. In any embodiment,computer network 136 can direct the door opening mechanism 341 of thetransport container 115 to open door 321 of the container so as topermit communication between the interior 316 of the container and theopening 381. Computer network 136 can further direct the transportmechanism 329 to be activated so as to move transportation container 361from the interior of the transport container 115 of robot 114 intoopening 381. In any embodiment, transport mechanism 329, for example thetop of belt 336 of the transport mechanism, can optionally behorizontally aligned with support surface 383 by robot 114. In anyembodiment, the top of belt 336 and support surface 383 can optionallybe approximately in the same plane. Transport mechanism 329 can continuemoving transportation container 361 out of the container 115 and intothe opening 381 until the transportation container 361 slides down ramp384 into receptacle 387. Once the transportation container has beenfully pushed through opening 383, for example as confirmed by one ormore of sensors 162 of the robot 114, the computer network 136 candirect the doors 321 of transport container 115 to close and move robot114 away from the opening 381 and wall 382. In one possible step of themethod, computer network 136 can record the delivery of transportationcontainer 361 by robot 114 through opening 381. A human, for example thedeliveree or purchaser, can remove the one or more articles 121 from thetransportation container 361. In any embodiment, the human retains thetransportation container 361 for use at a later time with system 113.

System 113 can optionally include pickup or delivery of a transportationcontainer 361 by robot 114 at other locations inside a building, forexample inside a warehouse, factory, store, distribution center or anyother building containing articles, or receipt of a transportationcontainer 361 by robot 114 from such other locations inside a building.Computer network 136 can cause or direct the robot 114 to deliver thetransportation container 361 at such other locations, for example freeof human assistance. In any embodiment, the drop off or pick up locationcan optionally include a support surface inside of a building forreceiving or delivering the transportation container 361. In any methodof the invention, robot 114 can deliver transportation container 361 toa support surface inside of a building, or receives the transportationcontainer from such support surface, that can optionally be in the formof any suitable transport mechanism, such as a conveyor system 401 (seeFIG. 37). Such delivery or receipt by robot 114 of the transportationcontainer 361, including any step or part thereof, can be accomplishedwithout human assistance, with human assistance, semi-autonomously orautonomously. Such delivery by robot 114 can optionally be accomplishedwith the assistance of computer vision. In any embodiment, the conveyorsystem 401 can optionally include a motorized conveyor belt 402 movablycarried on a plurality of rollers 403. The top surface of the conveyorbelt 402 can optionally be substantially planar, for example horizontal.The conveyor system 401 can optionally be elevated above the ground orfloor of the building by any suitable support structure 404. Theconveyor system 401 has an end 406, for example formed by one end ofconveyor belt 402, that can optionally be accessed by a transportcontainer 115 of a robot 114.

Computer network 136 and robot computer 156 can verify the correctnessof the drop off or pick up location, for example onto or from conveyorsystem 401, in any suitable manner, for example by visualizing thelocation, the building, the conveyor system 401 or any combination ofthe foregoing with robot cameras 293, 294 and comparing the imagesreceived from such cameras with an image or other data associated withthe location stored in computer network 136. In any embodiment, suchverification can optionally be accomplished by computer network 136wirelessly or otherwise communicating, for example through robottransceiver 163, with a transmitting device (not shown) previouslyverified by system 113 as being associated with the drop off location.

In one possible step, robot 114 can approach and register or aligncontainer opening 317 of the robot with the conveyor system 401 in anysuitable manner, for example in any of the manners and methods discussedabove for registering or aligning a transport container 115 with anopening 317, or a transport mechanism 329 of a transport container 115,with a transport mechanism 329 of a pickup container 116 or a recipientcontainer 117. In one possible step, the alignment of the containertransport mechanism 329, which can each be a conveyor system, with theconveyor system 401 can result in the top surfaces of the conveyor belts336, 402 being substantially parallel to each other for permittingtransportation containers moved off of or delivered by the belt 336 ofthe transport container 115 to be picked up by or received by theconveyor belt 402 of the conveyor system 401. In any embodiment, thefront of the conveyor belts 336, 402 can optionally be moved relativelyclose to each other so as to facilitate or permit a transportationcontainer 361 moving off one conveyor belt to be picked up by theopposing conveyor belt. In any embodiment, the conveyor belts 336, 402can optionally be substantially horizontally aligned with each other soas to facilitate a transfer of transportation container 361 between thetwo conveyor belts.

In one possible step, the positioning of the transport container 115with respect to the conveyor system 401 can optionally be controlled bycomputer network 136, including robot computer 156, which can utilizeinput from one or more of sensors 162 of the robot. In any embodiment,one or both of cameras 293, 294 on the approaching end 176 or 177 ofrobot 114 can optionally be utilized by computer network 136 tovisualize conveyor system 401 and to compare the input sensor signalsreceived from the cameras 293, 294 with stored images or other data withrespect to the conveyor system 401 or similar conveyor systems orstructures and utilize algorithms stored in the computer network 136 tomove the front end 306 of transport container 115, and transportmechanism 329 within the container, into registration or alignment withthe conveyor system 401. In any embodiment, sensor input signals fromradar or other distance sensors of robot 114 and from IMU sensor 296 canoptionally be utilized by the computer network 136 in such registrationand alignment step.

In one possible step, the transportation container 361 and the one ormore articles therein can then be transferred or moved by the transportmechanism 329 of the transport container 115 and conveyor system 401from the robot 114 to the conveyor system 401 or vice a versa. In anyembodiment, computer network 136 can direct the door opening mechanism341 of the transport container 115 to open door 321 of the transportcontainer so as to permit the interior 316 of the transport container tocommunicate with conveyor system 401. Computer network 136 can furtherdirect the transport mechanism 329 of the transport container and, forexample by the robot transceiver 163, the conveyor system 401 to beactivated so as to move transportation container 361 from the interiorof transport container 115 on robot 114 to the conveyor system 401 orvice a versa (see FIG. 37). For example, transport mechanism 329 of thetransport container 115 can serve to move the transportation container361 out of the container 115 until the transportation container 361touches and engages the conveyor belt 402 of the conveyor system 401,which can thereafter move the transportation container 361 fully ontothe conveyor belt 402. Once the transportation container 361 has beenfully received by conveyor system 401, or received from the conveyorsystem 401, the computer network 136 can direct the door 321 of thetransport container 115 to close and move robot 114 away from theconveyor system 401. Such transfer, from the conveyor system oftransport container 115 to the conveyor system 401, can be referred toas a conveyor system to conveyor system transfer. In one possible stepof the method, signals received by computer network 136, for examplethrough robot computer 156 and container computer 357, from weightsensors 356 in the transport container 115 can optionally be utilized toconfirm that the transportation container 361 has been delivered by therobot 114 or received by the robot, as appropriate. In one possible stepof the method, computer network 136 can record the delivery oftransportation container 361 containing the article 121 by robot 114.Following delivery, the one or more articles 121 can optionally beremoved from the transportation container 361 in any suitable manner,for example by a human or any suitable automated process. In anyembodiment, the transportation container 361 can optionally be retainedfor use at a later time with system 113.

System 113, and a suitable vehicle or other robot thereof, canoptionally be utilized for transferring articles within a building, forexample a warehouse, factory, store, distribution center or any otherbuilding containing articles. In any embodiment, a vehicle or other typeof robot 411 can be provided that can optionally be substantiallyidentical to robot 114, and like reference numerals have been used todescribe like components of robots 411 and 114 (see FIG. 38). Computernetwork 136 can cause or direct the vehicle or robot 411 to transferarticles at such locations, for example free of human assistance. In anyembodiment, the drop off or pickup location can optionally include asupport surface inside of the building for receiving a transportationcontainer 361. In any method of the invention, robot 411 can deliver anarticle to a support surface inside of a building, or receives anarticle from such support surface, that can optionally be in the form ofany suitable transport mechanism, such as conveyor system 412. Suchdelivery or pick up by robot 114 of an article, including any step orpart thereof, can be accomplished without human assistance, with humanassistance, semi-autonomously or autonomously. Such delivering orreceiving can optionally be accomplished with the assistance of computervision. In any embodiment, the conveyor system 412 can optionallyinclude one or more motorized conveyor belts. In any embodiment, theconveyor system 412 can optionally include a first motorized conveyorbelt 416, a second motorized conveyor belt 417 and a third motorizedconveyor belt 418. Each of the conveyor belts 416, 417, 418 canoptionally be movably carried by a plurality of rollers 419. Theconveyor belts 416, 417, 418 can be arranged in any suitableconfiguration, and in any embodiment can optionally be in a stackedconfiguration with first conveyor belt 416 being a top conveyor belt,second conveyor belt 417 being a middle or intermediate conveyor beltbelow first conveyor belt 416 and third conveyor belt 418 being a bottomconveyor belt below second conveyor belt 417. The top surface of each ofthe conveyor belts can optionally be substantially planar, for examplehorizontal. The conveyor system for 12 can optionally be elevated abovethe ground or floor of the building by any suitable support structure421. Each of the conveyor belts has an end 422 for accessing the belt.

Robot 411 can optionally include any suitable transport mechanism, forexample any transport mechanisms discussed herein, for transferring anarticle or container 423 of any suitable type between the robot andconveyor system 412. In any embodiment, the transport mechanism of robot411 can optionally be a conveyor system mounted on the exterior of therobot of any suitable type, which can be of any suitable shape orcurvature. In any embodiment, an exterior conveyor system 426 that is beplanar can optionally be provided on any suitable horizontal surface ofthe robot 411. In any embodiment, the exterior conveyor system 426 canoptionally be located on a top surface 427 of the robot, for example thetop surface of top portion 191 of the robot. In any embodiment, theexterior conveyor system 426 can optionally be a motorized conveyorsystem that can optionally include a conveyor belt 428 movably carriedby a plurality of rollers 429. The conveyor system 426 can be of anysuitable size and shape, and in any embodiment extends across at least aportion of the top of robot 411. In any embodiment, the conveyor system426 extends across the entire length or width of the robot and in anyembodiment, shown in FIG. 38, the exterior conveyor system 426 extendsbetween first or front end 176 and second or rear end 177 of the robot411. As such, each end of the exterior conveyor system is accessible atone and 176, 177 of the robot. The rollers 429 can optionally be coupledto or supported by top portion 191 of robot 411 by any suitable means,for example by a support 432 at each end of the conveyor system 426extending between the system 426 and top surface 427 of the robot.

The exterior conveyor system 426 can optionally include a scale of anysuitable type, for example for measuring the weight of the one or morearticles 423 being carried by the system 426. In any embodiment, a scalefor measuring the weight of the objects resting on conveyor belt 428 canoptionally be provided. In any embodiment, such weight scale canoptionally be formed from one or more sensors 433 disposed on supports432 of the conveyor system 426. Each of such sensors 433 can be of anysuitable type, for example a strain gauge. Such scales can optionally becoupled to computer network 136, either directly or indirectly.

Robot 411 can optionally include at least one container 186, which canoptionally include a container assembly 301 provided with a plurality oftransport containers 115. Each of the containers can optionally includea transport mechanism of any suitable type, such as transport mechanism329. Each transport mechanism can optionally be at least partially, ortotally, disposed inside the respective container 115.

In any method of operating robot 411, computer network 136 and robotcomputer 156 can verify the correctness of the drop off or pick uplocation, for example robot exterior conveyor system 426, in anysuitable manner, for example any of the methods disclosed hereinincluding the method disclosed with respect to conveyor system 401. Inone aspect of such method, robot 411 can optionally approach andregister or align exterior conveyor system 426 with conveyor system 412,for example first conveyor belt 416 of the system 412, in any suitablemanner, for example any of the methods disclosed herein including themethod disclosed with respect to conveyor system 401. In one aspect ofsuch method, one or more articles 423 can optionally be transferred ormoved between exterior conveyor system 426 of robot 411 and conveyorsystem 412, for example first conveyor belt 416 of the system 412, inany suitable manner, for example any the methods disclosed hereinincluding the method disclosed with respect to conveyor system 401. Inone possible step of the method, signals received by computer network136, for example through robot computer 156, from weight sensors 433 ofthe exterior conveyor system 426 can optionally be utilized to confirmthat article 423 has been delivered or received by robot 411. In onepossible step of the method, computer network 136 can record thedelivery of article 423 by robot 411.

In any embodiment, at least one of the conveyor belts of system 412 canoptionally be accessed by a transport container 115 of robot 411, and inany embodiment second conveyor belt 417 and third conveyor belt 418 canoptionally be accessed by respective transport containers 115 of therobot, for transferring or moving one or more transportation containers361 or articles 423 between the transport containers 115 and theconveyor belts 417, 418. Such accessing and transferring can beaccomplished by any suitable means, including all or portion of any ofthe methods disclosed herein.

A vehicle or other robot of system 113 can stop at other locationsbetween the first location and the second location, for picking up ordelivering other articles or transportation containers in connectionwith other user requests or otherwise. Computer network 136 can cause ordirect the robot to pick up or deliver articles or transportationcontainer 361 at such other locations, for example free of humanassistance. Such other articles or transportation containers canoptionally be contained in any of the transport containers 115 of robot114. In addition, such other articles can optionally be contained in atransportation container 361 which was arranged in tandem, for exampleend to end, within a transport container 115 of the robot 114 withanother transportation container 361 previously delivered by the robot114 from such transport container 115.

In any method of the invention, one or more articles or transportationcontainers can optionally be delivered by robot 114 to an intermediatelocation, for example to an intermediate container 115 such as anintermediate pickup container 116 or an intermediate recipient container117, for later pickup by a second vehicle or other robot 114 fordelivery by the second vehicle or other robot to the second location.The transfer of the one or more articles 121, or the one or moretransportation containers 361 containing the articles, from the vehicleor robot 114 to an intermediate pickup container 116 or intermediaterecipient container 117 can be in any suitable manner or method, forexample any of the methods disclosed herein, such as discussed abovewith respect to the transfer of a transportation container 361 between atransport container 115 of a robot 114 and a container 115 of a pickupcontainer 116 or recipient container 117. Computer network 136 candirect the second robot to pick up or receive the one or more articlesor transportation containers from the intermediate container, forexample by traveling over transportation network 101 to the intermediatecontainer. Computer network 136 can direct or cause the transfer of theone or more articles 121, or the one or more transportation containers361 containing the articles, from the intermediate container to thetransport container 115 of the second robot 114 in any suitable manneror method, for example any of the methods disclosed herein, such asdiscussed above with respect to the transfer of a transportationcontainer 361 between a transport container 115 of a robot 114 and acontainer 115 of a pickup container 116 or recipient container 117.Computer network 136 can navigate the second robot 114 overtransportation network 101 from the intermediate location, which can bereferred to as a second location, to the second location, which can bereferred to as a third location. The computer network 136 can cause ordirect the second robot 114 to deliver the one or more articles at thethird location by any suitable means including any of those disclosedherein. The third location can be any of those disclosed herein,including an additional recipient container 117. The second robot 114can deliver the one or more articles or transportation containers to theopening 317 or interior 316 of the additional recipient container 117 byany suitable means, including for example by use of the transportmechanism 329 of the transport container 115 as disclosed herein toremove the one or more articles or transportation containers from thetransport container 115 of the second robot. The additional recipientcontainer 117 can move the one or more articles or transportationcontainers into or inside the additional recipient container by anysuitable means, including for example by use of the transport mechanism329 of the additional recipient container 117. Any or all of theforegoing steps can optionally be performed free of human assistance.

In any method of the invention, a plurality of robots can optionally beutilized to deliver one or more articles from a first location to afinal delivery location. For example, one or more articles ortransportation containers can optionally be delivered by a first vehicleor other robot 114 directly to a second or additional vehicle or othertype of robot 114 at an intermediate location (see FIG. 39). In thissituation, the pickup container at the second or other location canoptionally be a transport container 115 of the first robot and therecipient container at the second or other location can optionally be atransport container 115 of the second robot 114 The transfer of the oneor more articles 121, or the one or more transportation containers 361containing the articles, from the robot 114 to the second robot 114 canbe in any suitable manner or method, for example any of the methodsdisclosed herein, such as discussed above with respect to the transferof a transportation container 361 between a transport container 115 of arobot 114 and a container 115 of a pickup container 116 or recipientcontainer 117. Computer network 136 can cause or direct the first robot114 to deliver the one or more articles or transportation containers tothe additional or second robot 114. The second robot 114 can transportor deliver the one or more articles or transportation containers to thesecond location, which can be referred to as a third location, forexample under the direction of computer network 136. Such transport ordelivery can optionally be, for example, over transportation network101. Computer network 136 can cause the second robot to deliver the oneor more articles or transportation containers to the third location byany suitable means including any of those disclosed herein. The thirdlocation can optionally be any of the second locations disclosed herein,including an additional recipient container 117. The second robot 114can deliver the one or more articles or transportation containers to theopening 317 or interior 316 of the additional recipient container 117 byany suitable means, including for example by use of the transportmechanism 329 of the transport container 115 as disclosed herein. Theadditional recipient container 117 can move the one or more articles ortransportation containers into or inside the additional recipientcontainer by any suitable means, including for example by use of thetransport mechanism 329 of the additional recipient container 117. Anyor all of the foregoing steps can optionally be performed free of humanassistance.

System 113 can optionally include other vehicles or robots for carryingone or more containers for transporting articles or transportationcontainers, such as articles 121 or transportation containers 361. Suchvehicles or robots can optionally include conventional vehicles, forexample cars and trucks and including cars and trucks that canoptionally be operated by humans. In any embodiment, such vehicles orrobots have human driver compartments for permitting onboard humandrivers of the vehicles. Such vehicles or robots can dock with othervehicles or robots of system 113, including robot 114. In anyembodiment, one or more transport containers 115 of robot 114 can dockwith one or more transport containers 115 of such vehicles or robots.

Such an other vehicle or robot can optionally be a truck 441 having anoptional cab 442 and a plurality of motorized wheels 443 (see FIGS.40-41). The truck 441 can carry a plurality of the containers of theinvention, for example a plurality of containers 115. In any embodiment,a plurality of containers 115 can optionally be stacked in rows andcolumns with respective openings 317 accessible from a side 444 of thetruck 441. In any embodiment, openings 317 of the plurality ofcontainers 115 can optionally be flush with the planar side of the truck441. Such a plurality of containers 115 can optionally be provided on afirst side of the truck 441, an opposite second side of the truck 441,the rear end of the truck 441, the front of the truck 441, or anycombination of the foregoing.

The transfer of the one or more articles 121, or the one or moretransportation containers 361 containing the articles, between truck 441and robot 114 can be in any suitable manner or method, for example anyof the methods disclosed herein, such as discussed above with respect tothe transfer of a transportation container 361 between a transportcontainer 115 of a robot 114 and a container 115 of a pickup container116 or recipient container 117 (see FIG. 41).

Truck 441 can serve as a mobile warehouse that can be temporarily orpermanently parked at any location in transportation network 101. Truck441 can arrive at such temporary location with any or all of itstransport containers 115 filled or otherwise occupied by transportationcontainers 361 for delivery by one or more robots 114 that canoptionally be directed by computer network 136 to truck 441 to receiverespective transportation containers 361. In any embodiment, truck 441can serve as a way station for transportation containers 361 that aredelivered to truck 441 by one robot 114 and thereafter retrieved fromtruck 441 by another robot 114 for delivery to a drop off or otherlocation. In any embodiment, truck 441 has more transport containers 115carried thereby than robot 114, for example multiples of the transportcontainers 115 of robot 114.

In one aspect of the invention, a transportation container 361 canoptionally be moved between two transport containers 115 within avehicle or other robot 114. In any embodiment or possible step, thetransportation container 361 can optionally be moved internally withincontainer assembly 301, for example by openings or doors (not shown)provided in respective adjoining walls of the two containers 115 andutilizing the respective transport mechanisms 329 of the containers. Inany embodiment or possible step, an opening or door can optionally beprovided in the back end 307 of each of two adjoining containers 115 andthe transport mechanisms 329 of the containers can optionally be used tomove a transportation container 361 between the containers. In oneaspect of the invention, a transportation container 361 can optionallybe moved between transport containers 115 of the robot 114 by unloadingthe transportation container 361 from the first transport container 115in any suitable manner, for example as disclosed herein, and thenreloading the transportation container 361 to the second transportcontainer 115 in any suitable manner, for example as disclosed herein.

System 13 and the methods herein can optionally include delivery of thetransportation container 361 by robot 114 to any location, for examplelocations that do not include a container 115, are not within astructure or are not at a structure (see for example FIGS. 42-47). Forexample, transportation container 361 can be delivered to any second orother location designated by a user, for example at a park, at a beach,at a street corner, at a shopping mall or at a parking lot. Computernetwork 136 can cause or direct the robot 114 to deliver thetransportation container 361 at such other locations, for example freeof human assistance. Such delivery by robot 114 of the transportationcontainer 361, including any step or part thereof, can optionally beaccomplished without human assistance, with human assistance,semi-autonomously or autonomously. Such delivery can optionally beaccomplished with the assistance of computer vision. Computer network136 and robot computer 156 can verify the correctness of the deliverylocation in any suitable manner, for example by visualizing the locationwith robot cameras 293, 294 and comparing the images received from suchcameras with an image or other data associated with the deliverylocation stored in computer network 136.

The second or delivery location can be designated by the user in anysuitable manner, including any manner or technique disclosed herein. Forexample, the user can optionally include three-dimensional coordinatesor other information, for example any of the three-dimensionalcoordinates or other information disclosed herein, to which thetransportation container 361 is to be delivered by robot 114 in adelivery request. For example, the user can touch an image displayed ona computing device, such as an image 367 viewable on display 148 ofdeliveror computing device 141 or deliveree computing device 142, todesignate a precise location to which the container 361 should bedelivered. Any suitable indicator, such as indicator 368, can optionallybe created on the image, for example by the user touching the image orusing a computer mouse, to indicate the precise delivery location andcan optionally be used by computer network 136 in instructing anddirecting a robot to the delivery location (see FIGS. 42,44,46). Suchimage can be a two-dimensional image or a three-dimensional image, forexample a three-dimensional virtual model. Such location can optionallybe translated or converted into three-dimensional coordinates or otherinformation, for example as disclosed herein, for use by computernetwork 136 in coordinating and directing robot 114 to such preciselocation.

In any method of the invention, a robot 114 can deliver transportationcontainer 361 to a step or other elevated surface relative to theground, for example in front of a residence or other structure as shownin FIGS. 42-43. Such elevated surface, for example step 451, can bedesignated by the user in any suitable manner, for example in a requestor otherwise. Such designation can optionally include three-dimensionalcoordinates or other information, for example any of suchthree-dimensional coordinates or other information disclosed herein,with respect to the precise delivery location 452. In one possible step,the user touches an image 367 visible on display 148 of a computingdevice 141, 142 to create an indicator 368 on the image 361 designatingthe precise delivery location 452 on the step 451 (see FIG. 42).

The method or routine for robot 114 dropping the transportationcontainer 361 onto step 451 or other elevated surface can be performedin any suitable manner, for example similar to the method or routinediscussed above with respect to the drop off or placement of atransportation container 361 by a robot onto the ground. In anyembodiment, for example as illustrated in FIG. 43, the transportmechanism of the at least one container 186, for example transportmechanism 329 of one of containers 115 of the at least one container186, can optionally be used in this regard. In any embodiment, one ofthe lower containers 115 of the robot 114, for example one of containers115 sitting directly on base 281 of the chassis 187, can optionally beutilized when the transportation container 361 is to be dropped off onan elevated surface such as step 451 at the second or other location.

In one possible step of such method, the container 115 can optionally bepositioned by robot 114 so that front end 306 of one of the containers115 is nearby or slightly above the step 451. For example, first andsecond wheel assemblies 181, 182, including pivot assemblies 217, 227thereof, can optionally be used to maneuver robot 114 so that the frontend 306 of the container 115 is adjacent or nearby the step 451.Attachment assembly 249 of the robot, including first and secondtranslational adjustment mechanisms 252, 253 and first and second pivotassemblies 261, 262, can optionally be used to lower or raise chassis187 towards or adjacent the step 451, for example slightly above thedelivery location 452 on the step 451. If desired, the chassis 187 canoptionally be tilted so that one end 282, 283 of the base 281 of thechassis is lower than the other end, for example the first end 282 ofthe base 281 as illustrated in FIG. 43. Once door 321 of the appropriatetransport container 115 of robot 114 is opened, for example by dooropening mechanism 341, transport mechanism 329 within the transportcontainer 115 can optionally be utilized to move the transportationcontainer 361 out of the interior 316 of the robot, for example out ofopening 317 of interior 316 of the transport container 115, and onto thestep 451 at the delivery location 452. The robot 114 can optionally bemoved rearwardly or forwardly during this process to facilitate thetransportation container 361 being moved out of the container 115, beingdropped or placed on the step 451 at the delivery location 452, or both.The drop off or unloading process can optionally be controlled bycomputer network 136, including robot computer 156, which can utilizeinput from one or more of sensors 162 and weight sensor 356 of therobot.

Upon delivery of the transportation container 361 to the deliverylocation 452, and the one or more articles therein, door 321 of thecontainer 115 can optionally be closed and robot 114 directed bycomputer network 136 to another location. In one possible step of themethod, signals received by computer network 136 from weight sensors 356in the transport container 115 can optionally be utilized to conformthat the transportation container 361 is no longer in the container 115of the robot 114. In one possible step of the method, computer network136 can record the delivery by robot 114 of the transportation container361 from the transport container 115 of the robot to the deliverylocation 452. A human, for example the deliveree or purchaser, canremove the one or more articles 121 from the transportation container361. In any embodiment, the human retains the transportation container361 for use at a later time with system 113.

In any method of the invention, a robot 114 can deliver transportationcontainer 361 to such other locations such as other elevated surfacesrelative to the ground, for example to a ledge or porch, for exampleporch 461 shown in FIGS. 44-45, or a table, for example picnic table 462shown in FIGS. 46-47. Such elevated surface, for example the top ofporch 461 or picnic table 462, can be designated by the user in anysuitable manner, for example in a request or otherwise. Such designationcan optionally include three-dimensional coordinates or otherinformation, for example any of such three-dimensional coordinates orother information disclosed herein, with respect to a precise deliverylocation on such surfaces, for example delivery location 463 on porch461 or delivery location 464 on table 462. In one possible step, theuser touches an image 367 visible on display 148 of a computing device141, 142 to create an indicator 368 on the image 361 designating theprecise delivery location, for example location 463 on porch 461 orlocation 464 on table 462 (see FIGS. 44,46).

The method or routine for robot 114 dropping off or depositing thetransportation container 361 onto porch 461 or table 462, or otherelevated surface, can be performed in any suitable manner, for examplesimilar to the method or routine discussed above with respect to thedrop off or placement of a transportation container 361 by a robot intoopening 381 in wall 382 or onto conveyor system 401. In one possiblestep, robot 114 aligns or registers transport mechanism 329 of thetransport container 115, which can optionally be a conveyor system, withthe top surface of the porch 461 or table 462. In one possible step, thealignment of the transport mechanism 329 with the top surface of theporch or table can result in the top surface of the conveyor belt 336 ofthe container 115 being substantially parallel with or slightly elevatedrelative to the top surface of the porch or table for permitting thetransportation container moved off of or delivered by the belt 336 ofthe transport container 115 to be received by such top surface. Ifdesired, chassis 187 of the robot can optionally be tilted so that oneend 282, 283 of the base 281 of the chassis is lower than the other end.In any embodiment, the front of the conveyor belt 336 of the transportcontainer can optionally be relatively close to the top surface of theporch 461 or table 462 so as to facilitate or permit a transportationcontainer 361 moving off the conveyor belt to be received by such topsurface. In any embodiment, the top surface of the conveyor belt 336 ofthe transport container 115 can optionally be substantially horizontallyaligned with the top surface of the porch 461 or table 462 so as tofacilitate a transfer of a transportation container 361 from theconveyor belt onto the top surface of the porch or table.

In one possible step, the positioning of the transport container 115with respect to the top surface of the porch 461 or table 462 canoptionally be controlled by computer network 136, including robotcomputer 156, which can utilize input from one or more of sensors 162.In any embodiment, one or both of cameras 293, 294 on the approachingend 176 or 177 of robot 114 can optionally be utilized by computernetwork 136 to visualize the porch 461 or table 462 and to compare theinput sensor signals received from the cameras 293, 294 with storedimages or other data with respect to the porch or table or structuresand utilize algorithms stored in the computer network 136 to move thefront end 306 of transport container 115 into registration or alignmentwith the top surface of the porch 461 or table 462. In any embodiment,sensor input signals from radar or other distance sensors of robot 114and from IMU sensor 296 can optionally be utilized by the computernetwork 136 in such registration and alignment step.

In one possible step, transportation container 361 can optionally betransferred or moved by transport mechanism 329 of the transportcontainer 115 from the robot 114 to the delivery location, for examplethe delivery location 463 on porch 461 or the deliver 464 on table 462.In any embodiment, computer network 136 can direct the door openingmechanism 341 of the transport container 115 to open door 321 of thecontainer so as to permit communication between the interior 316 of thecontainer and the top surface of the porch or table. Computer network136 can further direct the transport mechanism 329 to be activated so asto move transportation container 361 from the interior of the transportcontainer 115 of robot 114 onto such top surface. In any embodiment,transport mechanism 329, for example the top of belt 336 of thetransport mechanism, can optionally be horizontally aligned with the topsurface of the porch 462 or table 462 by robot 114. In any embodiment,the top of belt 336 and the top surface of the elevated surface, forexample the top surface of the porch or table, can optionally beapproximately in the same plane. Once the transportation container 361has been fully delivered from the transport container 115 of the robot114, for example as confirmed by one or more of sensors 162 of the robot114, the computer network 136 can direct the doors 321 of transportcontainer 115 to close and move robot 114 away from the porch 461 ortable 462. In one possible step of the method, computer network 136 canrecord the delivery of transportation container 361 by robot 114 to thedelivery location 463,464. A human, for example the deliveree orpurchaser, can remove the one or more articles 121 from thetransportation container 361. In any embodiment, the human retains thetransportation container 361 for use at a later time with system 113.

The transportation containers of the invention can optionally be reusedwithin system 113, for example after the delivery of a transportationcontainer 361 to the second location and the removal of the one or morearticles transported therein to the second location. In any embodiment,the empty transportation container 361 can optionally be placed on theground or another surface at the second location. In any embodiment, theempty transportation container 361 can optionally be returned to therecipient container 117 at the second location for reuse. The emptytransportation container 361 can be picked up in any suitable manner atthe second location by a vehicle or robot 114 of system 113, for examplethe vehicle or robot 114 that delivered the transportation container 361to the second location or another one of a plurality of vehicles orrobots from a fleet of vehicles or robots of system 113. Computernetwork 136 can direct or cause any such second vehicle or robot 114 tobe navigated over transportation network 101 to the second location. Themethod and manner of pickup by the vehicle or robot 114 at the secondlocation can be of any suitable type, including any of the methods andmanners disclosed herein. The empty transportation container 361 canoptionally be moved, for example under the direction of computer network136, from the recipient container 117 to the transport container 115 ofthe vehicle or robot 114 at the second location by any suitable methodor manner including any of those disclosed herein. The transportcontainer 115 of the vehicle or robot can optionally be registered oraligned with the recipient container 117, for example as disclosedabove. The vehicle or robot 114 can navigated, under a further stepcontrolled by computer network 136, from the second location to a thirdlocation, which can be of any suitable type including any of thosedisclosed herein such as a pickup container 116, a recipient container117, a transport container 115 of another vehicle or robot 114, acontainer 115 of truck 441, a surface of any suitable type or theground. The vehicle or robot 114 can deliver the empty transportationcontainer 361 to the third location, for example by any of the methodsor manners disclosed herein. In any method of the invention, the emptytransportation container 361 can optionally be removed from thetransport container 115 of the vehicle or robot at the third location byany suitable method or manner including any of those disclosed hereinfor reuse in system 113. Such method or process can be accomplishedwithout human assistance, with human assistance, semi-autonomously orautonomously.

In any method of the invention, one or more additional articles 121 canoptionally be placed in the transportation container 361 at the secondlocation, for example for delivery to a third location. The secondlocation can be of any suitable type, for example any of the pickuplocations disclosed herein including a pickup container 116, a surfaceof any suitable type or the ground. In any method of the invention, thetransportation container 361 can optionally be transported or deliveredto a third location and one or more additional articles 121 placed inthe transportation container 361 at the third location, for example fordelivery to a fourth location. The third location can be of any suitabletype, for example any of the pickup locations disclosed herein includinga pickup container 116, a surface of any suitable type or the ground.

The one or more additional articles 121 can be of any suitable type, forexample any of the articles disclosed herein including articles fordelivery by system or products purchased by a user of system 113 forsubsequent delivery. The transportation container 361 with the one ormore additional articles therein can be picked up in any suitable mannerat the pickup location, that is the respective second or third location,by a second vehicle or robot 114 of system 113, for example one of aplurality of vehicles or robots from a fleet of vehicles or robots ofsystem 113. The second vehicle or robot 114 can deliver thetransportation container 361 to the delivery location, that is therespective third or fourth location. The second vehicle or other robot114 can optionally be different or distinct from the first vehicle orrobot 114 utilized to deliver the transportation container 361 from thefirst location to the second location.

The method and manner of pickup by second vehicle or robot 114 can be ofany suitable type, including any of the methods and manners disclosedherein. For example, in any method the transportation container 361 canoptionally be picked up from the ground or another surface by the secondvehicle or robot 114. In any method, the transportation container 361can optionally be placed in a pickup container 116 at the pickuplocation. Computer network 136 can direct or cause the second vehicle orrobot 114 to be navigated over transportation network 101 to the pickuplocation. The transportation container 361 can optionally be moved, forexample under the direction of computer network 136, from the pickupcontainer 116 to the transport container 115 of the second vehicle orrobot 114 at the pickup location by any suitable method or mannerincluding any of those disclosed herein. The transport container 115 canoptionally be registered or aligned with the pickup container 116, forexample as disclosed above. The second vehicle or robot 114 canoptionally be navigated, under a further step controlled by computernetwork 136, from the pickup location to the delivery location, whichcan be of any suitable type including any of those disclosed herein suchas a recipient container 117, a surface of any suitable type or theground. The transportation container 361 can optionally be moved, forexample under the direction of computer network 136, from the transportcontainer 115 of the second vehicle to the recipient container 117 atthe delivery location by any suitable method or manner including any ofthose disclosed herein. The transport container 115 can optionally beregistered or aligned with the recipient container 117, for example asdisclosed above. Following delivery, the one or more articles 121 canoptionally be removed from the transportation container 361 in anysuitable manner, for example by a human or any suitable automatedprocess. In any embodiment, the transportation container 361 canoptionally be retained for use at a later time with system 113,including for example in the recipient container 117. Such method orprocess can be accomplished without human assistance, with humanassistance, semi-autonomously or autonomously.

The utilization of a transportation container can increase theefficiency of system 113, including the pickup, transportation and dropoff of articles being transported and delivered by the system. Theutilization of a plurality of transportation containers of astandardized size and shape can contribute to such efficiency. Inaddition, the sizing of the standardized transportation containers toapproximate the size of any or all of the pickup, recipient andtransport containers of the invention can contribute to such efficiency.The utilization of a transportation container with an open top canfacilitate loading and unloading of the transportation container.Increases in efficiency can result in reductions in cost of system 113and the methods disclosed herein.

In one aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method isprovided that can include receiving a request from a user to pick up aproduct at a first location, directing a robot configured to travel onroads, bike paths and sidewalks to pick up the product at the firstlocation, navigating the robot over an outdoor transportation networkthat can include roads, bike paths and sidewalks from the first locationto the second location, and causing the robot to deliver the productfree of human assistance at the second location.

The navigating step can include accessing a virtual map to chart acourse over the outdoor transportation network from the first locationto the second location. The causing step can include causing the robotto place the product on the ground at the second location. The receivingstep can include receiving from the user a specified location on theground at the second location where the product should be delivered andthe causing step can include causing the robot to place the product onthe ground at the specified location. The causing step can includecausing the robot to remove the product from within the robot fordelivery to the second location. The robot can have a transportcontainer for housing the product during transport and the causing stepcan include causing the robot to open the transport container and removethe product from the container for delivery to the second location. Therobot can have a delivery mechanism for removing the product from withinthe robot for delivery to the second location. The causing step caninclude causing the robot to deliver the product to an interior of arecipient container at the second location. The causing step can includecausing the robot to remove the product from within the robot, and themethod can include placing the product in the recipient container. Therecipient container can be associated with the user. The causing stepcan include causing the robot to deliver the product to an additionalrobot configured to travel on roads, bike paths and sidewalks at thesecond location, and the method can include navigating the additionalrobot over the outdoor transportation network from the second locationto the third location and causing the additional robot to deliver theproduct free of human assistance at the third location. The additionalrobot can deliver the product to an interior of a recipient container atthe third location. The causing step can include causing the robot todeliver the product to a recipient container at the second location, andthe method can include directing an additional robot configured totravel on roads, bike paths and sidewalks to pick up the product free ofhuman assistance from the recipient container at the second location,navigating the additional robot over the outdoor transportation networkfrom the second location to the third location, and causing theadditional robot to deliver the product free of human assistance at thethird location. The method can include causing the robot to receive theproduct from a pickup container free of human assistance at the firstlocation. The receiving step can include purchasing the product by theuser. The method can include charging the user for delivering theproduct at the second location. The recipient container can have aninterior and a door for accessing the interior and the causing step caninclude directing the door to open for permitting delivery of theproduct to the interior of the recipient container. The transportcontainer can have an interior and an opening communicating with theinterior of the transport container and the recipient container can havean interior and an opening communicating with the interior of therecipient container and the causing step can include causing the robotto align the opening of the transport container with the opening of therecipient container. The robot can have a first assembly for causing thetransport container to translate in three orthogonal directions relativeto the recipient container and a second assembly for causing thetransport container to rotate about three orthogonal axes relative tothe recipient container for permitting alignment of the opening of thetransport container with the opening of the recipient container. Therobot can have a delivery mechanism for removing the product from withinthe transport container for delivery to the recipient container.

In one aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method isprovided that can include receiving a request from a user to pick up anarticle at a first location, directing a robot configured to travelalong roads, bike paths and sidewalks and having a transport containerto receive the article within the transport container at the firstlocation, navigating the robot over an outdoor transportation networkthat can include roads, bike paths and sidewalks from the first locationto the second location, causing the robot to remove the article from thetransport container and deliver the article to a recipient container atthe second location and causing the recipient container to move thearticle inside the recipient container at the second location.

The robot can be a wheeled vehicle free of a human driver compartment.The robot can have a delivery mechanism inside the transport containerfor removing the article from the transport container for delivery tothe second location. The delivery mechanism can be a conveyor mechanism.The robot can open the transport container. The robot can autonomouslyremove the article from the transport container and deliver the articleto the recipient container. The causing the robot to deliver step caninclude causing the robot to deliver the article to an additional robotat the second location, the recipient container at the second locationcan be a transport container of the additional robot, and the method caninclude navigating the additional robot over the outdoor transportationnetwork from the second location to a third location, causing theadditional robot to deliver the article to an additional recipientcontainer at the third location and causing the additional recipientcontainer to move the article inside the additional recipient container.The method can include directing an additional robot having anadditional transport container to receive the article within theadditional transport container from the recipient container at thesecond location, navigating the additional robot over the outdoortransportation network from the second location to a third location,causing the additional robot to remove the article from the additionaltransport container and deliver the article to an additional recipientcontainer at the third location and causing the additional recipientcontainer to move the article inside the additional recipient container.The method can include causing the transport container of the robot toreceive the article from a pickup container at the first location andcausing the transport container to move the article inside the transportcontainer at the first location. The pickup container can have adelivery mechanism for removing the article from the pickup containerfor delivery to the transport container of the robot. The receiving stepcan include purchasing the article by the user. The transport containercan have an interior and an opening communicating with the interior ofthe transport container and the recipient container can have an interiorand an opening communicating with the interior of the recipientcontainer and the causing the robot to deliver step can include causingthe robot to align the opening of the transport container with theopening of the recipient container. The robot can have a first assemblyfor causing the transport container to translate in three orthogonaldirections relative to the recipient container and a second assembly forcausing the transport container to rotate about three orthogonal axesrelative to the recipient container for permitting alignment of theopening of the transport container with the opening of the recipientcontainer. The recipient container can have an interior and a door foraccessing the interior and the door can be directed to open forpermitting the recipient container to move the article to the interiorof the recipient container. The recipient container can be directedthrough the robot. The recipient container can be powered through therobot. The method can include directing the robot to autonomouslytranslate the transport container in at least one of a verticaldirection and a sideways direction and to autonomously pivot thetransport container about at least one axis so as to align the transportcontainer with the recipient container. The robot can be a driverlesswheeled vehicle.

In one aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method isprovided that can include receiving a request from a user to pick up aproduct at a first location, causing a robot configured to travel onroads, bike paths and sidewalks to pick up the product free of humanassistance at the first location, and navigating the robot over anoutdoor transportation network that can include roads, bike paths andsidewalks from the first location to the second location.

The method can include causing the robot to deliver the product free ofhuman assistance at the second location. The method can include chargingthe user for delivering the product at the second location. The causingstep can include causing the robot to pick up the product from theground at the first location. The causing step can include causing therobot to place the product inside the robot at the first location. Therobot can have a transport container for housing the product duringtransport and the causing step can include causing the robot to open thetransport container and place the product inside the transportcontainer. The robot can have a receiving mechanism for placing theproduct inside the robot. The causing step can include causing the robotto retrieve the product from a pickup container at the second location.The robot can have a transport container for housing the product duringtransport and the causing step can include retrieving the product fromthe pickup container and placing the product in the transport container.The pickup container can have an interior and a door for accessing theinterior and the causing step can include directing the door to open forpermitting retrieval of the product from the interior of the pickupcontainer. The transport container can have an interior and an openingcommunicating with the interior of the transport container and thepickup container can have an interior and an opening communicating withthe interior of the pickup container and the causing step can includecausing the robot to align the opening of the transport container withthe opening of the pickup container. The robot can have a first assemblyfor causing the transport container to translate in three orthogonaldirections relative to the pickup container and a second assembly forcausing the transport container to rotate about three orthogonal axesrelative to the pickup container for permitting alignment of the openingof the transport container with the opening of the pickup container. Thereceiving step can include purchasing the product by the user. Thenavigating step can include accessing a virtual map to chart a courseover the outdoor transportation network from the first location to thesecond location.

In one aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method isprovided that can include receiving a request from a user to pick up anarticle at a first location, navigating a robot configured to travel onroads, bike paths and sidewalks and having a closeable transportcontainer to the first location, causing the robot to open the closeabletransport container and move the article inside the transport containerat the first location and navigating the robot over an outdoortransportation network that can include roads, bike paths and sidewalksfrom the first location to the second location for delivering thearticle to the second location.

The method can include causing a pickup container at the first locationto deliver the article from the pickup container to the transportcontainer at the first location. The pickup container can have atransport mechanism for removing the article from the pickup containerfor delivery to the transport container at the first location. Thetransport mechanism can be inside the pickup container. The pickupcontainer can be a closeable pickup container and the causing the pickupcontainer step can include opening the pickup container. The transportcontainer can have an interior and an opening communicating with theinterior of the transport container and the pickup container can have aninterior and an opening communicating with the interior of the pickupcontainer, and the method can include causing the robot to align theopening of the transport container with the opening of the pickupcontainer. The robot can have a first assembly for causing the transportcontainer to translate in three orthogonal directions relative to thepickup container and a second assembly for causing the transportcontainer to rotate about three orthogonal axes relative to the pickupcontainer for permitting alignment of the opening of the transportcontainer with the opening of the pickup container. The causing therobot step can include causing the robot to pick up the article from theground at the first location. The transport container can have atransport mechanism for moving the article inside the transportcontainer. The robot can be wheeled vehicle free of a human drivercompartment. The receiving step can include purchasing the article bythe user. The navigating step can include accessing a virtual map tochart a course over the outdoor transportation network from the firstlocation to the second location.

In one aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method isprovided that can include receiving a request from a user to deliver anarticle from a first location to the second location, placing thearticle in a pickup container at the first location, navigating a robotconfigured to travel along roads, bike paths and sidewalks and having atransport container to the first location, autonomously moving thearticle from the pickup container to the transport container at thefirst location and additionally navigating the robot over an outdoortransportation network from the first location to the second locationfor delivering the article to the second location.

The pickup container can be a closeable pickup container and thetransport container can be a closeable transport container and theautonomous moving step can include autonomously opening the closeablepickup container and autonomously opening the closeable transportcontainer. The additionally navigating step can include autonomouslynavigating the robot over an outdoor transportation network from thefirst location to the second location. The robot can autonomouslynavigate to the first location. The robot can be a wheeled vehicle.

In one aspect of the invention, a system for delivering a product from afirst location to a second location is provided that can include a robotconfigured to travel on roads, bike paths and sidewalks for transportingthe product from the first location to the second location, the robothaving a transport container for housing the product during transport, arecipient container at the second location for receiving the product atthe second location, at least one computer configured to navigate therobot over an outdoor transportation network that can include roads,bike paths and sidewalks from the first location to the second location,the robot having a product transport mechanism controlled by the atleast one computer for removing the product from the transport containerand delivering the product to the recipient container.

The product transport mechanism can be at least partially disposedinside the transport container. The transport container can include aside door and a door opening assembly controlled by the at least onecomputer for opening and closing the side door. The door openingassembly can be disposed inside the transport container. The robot caninclude a plurality of transport containers and a plurality ofrespective product transport mechanisms. The recipient container caninclude a receiving transport mechanism controlled by the at least onecomputer for moving the product received from the robot inside therecipient container. The receiving transport mechanism can be at leastpartially disposed inside the recipient container. The recipientcontainer can include a side door and a door opening assembly controlledby the at least one computer for opening and closing the side door. Thedoor opening assembly can be disposed inside the recipient container.The recipient container can have an opening and the transport containercan have an opening and the robot can include an orientation assemblyfor registering the opening in the transport container with the openingin the recipient assembly. The orientation assembly can include a firstassembly for causing the transport container to translate in threeorthogonal directions relative to the recipient container and a secondassembly for causing the transport container to rotate about threeorthogonal axes relative to the recipient container for permittingalignment of the opening of the transport container with the opening ofthe recipient container. The transport container can have at least onefirst electrical connector and the recipient container can have at leastone second electrical connector for cooperatively engaging with the atleast one first electrical connector to permit the transport containerto provide power to the recipient container. The recipient container canbe a transport container of an additional robot. The robot can have apickup assembly that can be controlled by the at least one computer andcan include the product transport mechanism for picking up the productfree of human assistance at the first location. The system can include apickup container at the first location, and the product transportmechanism can be configured to receive the product from the pickupcontainer and move the product inside the transport container. Thepickup container can include a delivering transport mechanism controlledby the at least one computer for removing the product from the pickupcontainer and delivering the product to the transport container. Thedelivering transport mechanism can be at least partially disposed insidethe pickup container. The pickup container can include a side door and adoor opening assembly controlled by the at least one computer anddisposed inside the pickup container for opening and closing the sidedoor. The pickup container can be a transport container of an additionalrobot. The at least one computer can include a computer carried by therobot and a cloud-based computer. The at least one computer can includea smartphone configured for communication with the cloud-based computer.

In one aspect of the invention, a system for delivering an article froma first location to a second location is provided and can include arobot configured to travel on roads, bike paths and sidewalks fortransporting the article from the first location to the second location,the robot having a closeable transport container for housing the articleduring transport, a closeable recipient container at the second locationfor receiving the article, at least one computer configured to navigatethe robot over an outdoor transportation network that can include roads,bike paths and sidewalks from the first location to the second location,the robot having a robot article transport mechanism controlled by theat least one computer for removing the article from the transportcontainer at the second location and the recipient container having arecipient article transport mechanism for moving the article inside therecipient container.

The first article transport mechanism can be at least partially disposedinside the transport container. The transport container can include aside door and a door opening assembly controlled by the at least onecomputer for opening and closing the side door. The door openingassembly can be disposed inside the transport container. The robot caninclude a plurality of transport containers and a plurality ofrespective robot article transport mechanisms. The recipient transportmechanism can be at least partially disposed inside the recipientcontainer. The recipient container can include a side door and a dooropening assembly controlled by the at least one computer for opening andclosing the side door. The door opening assembly can be disposed insidethe recipient container. The robot can be a driverless vehicle and therecipient container can have an opening and the transport container canhave an opening and the driverless vehicle can include an orientationassembly for registering the opening in the transport container with theopening in the recipient assembly. The orientation assembly can includea first assembly for causing the transport container to translate inthree orthogonal directions relative to the recipient container and asecond assembly for causing the transport container to rotate aboutthree orthogonal axes relative to the recipient container for permittingalignment of the opening of the transport container with the opening ofthe recipient container. The transport container can have a least onefirst electrical connector and the recipient container can have at leastone second electrical connector for cooperatively engaging with the atleast one first electrical connector to permit the transport containerto provide power to the recipient container. The recipient container canbe a transport container of an additional robot. The robot can have apickup assembly that can be controlled by the at least one computer andcan include the robot article transport mechanism for picking thearticle up off the ground free of human assistance at the firstlocation. The system can include a pickup container at the firstlocation, and the robot article transport mechanism can be configured toreceive the article from the pickup container and move the articleinside the transport container. The pickup container can include apickup article transport mechanism controlled by the at least onecomputer for removing the article from the pickup container anddelivering the article to the transport container. The pickup articletransport mechanism can be at least partially disposed inside the pickupcontainer. The pickup container can include a side door and a dooropening assembly controlled by the at least one computer and disposedinside the pickup container for opening and closing the side door. Thepickup container can be a transport container of an additional robot.The at least one computer can include a computer carried by the robotand a cloud-based computer. The at least one computer can include asmartphone configured for communication with the cloud-based computer.

In one aspect of the invention, a method for transporting a plurality ofarticles from a first location to a second location is provided that caninclude receiving a transportation container of a standardized size andshape for being carried within a transport container of any of aplurality of robots from a fleet of robots, each of the plurality ofrobots being configured to travel along roads, bike paths and sidewalksand being free of a human driver compartment, placing the plurality ofarticles in the transportation container, placing the transportationcontainer in a pickup location at the first location, navigating a firstrobot from the fleet of robots to the first location, autonomouslymoving the transportation container from the pickup location to thetransport container of the first robot at the first location, navigatingthe first robot over an outdoor transportation network that can includeroads, bike paths and sidewalks from the first location to the secondlocation, and autonomously moving the transportation container from thetransport container to a recipient location at the second location.

The transportation container can be made from a material selected fromthe group consisting of cardboard, paperboard, fiberboard, plastic andmetal. The transportation container can have the shape of aparallelepiped. The transportation container can have fourinterconnected side walls joined to a bottom wall. The transportationcontainer can be free of a top. The step of autonomously moving thetransportation container from the pickup location to the transportcontainer can include autonomously picking the transportation containerup off the ground at the first location. The pickup location can beinside a pickup container and wherein the step of autonomously movingthe transportation container from the pickup location to the transportcontainer can include autonomously moving the transportation containerfrom the pickup container to the transport container. The transportationcontainer can be autonomously placed on the ground at the secondlocation. The recipient location can be inside a recipient container andthe transportation container can be autonomously moved from thetransport container to the recipient container. The transport containercan be a closeable transport container and each autonomous moving stepcan include autonomously opening the transport container. The transportcontainer can have a transport mechanism for moving the transportationcontainer into and out from the transport container. The method caninclude receiving payment for the purchase of the plurality of articles.

In one aspect of the invention, a method for transporting a plurality ofarticles from a first location to a second location is provided that caninclude receiving an open transportation container of a standardizedsize and shape for being carried within a transport container of any ofa plurality of robots from a fleet of robots, each of the plurality ofrobots being configured to travel along roads, bike paths and sidewalksand being free of a human driver compartment, placing the plurality ofarticles in the transportation container, placing the transportationcontainer in a pickup container at the first location, navigating afirst robot from the fleet of robots to the first location, autonomouslymoving the transportation container from the pickup container to thetransport container of the first robot at the first location, navigatingthe first robot over an outdoor transportation network that can includeroads, bike paths and sidewalks from the first location to the secondlocation, and autonomously moving the transportation container from thetransport container to a recipient container at the second location.

The recipient container can be a closeable recipient container and therecipient container can be autonomously opened. The method can includeremoving the plurality of articles from the open transportationcontainer. The method can include receiving the open transportationcontainer at a third location, placing a second plurality of articles inthe transportation container at the third location, placing thetransportation container in a pickup container at the third location,navigating a second robot from the fleet of robots to the thirdlocation, autonomously moving the transportation container from thepickup container to the transport container of the second robot at thethird location, navigating the second robot over the outdoortransportation network from the third location to a fourth location, andautonomously moving the transportation container from the transportcontainer of the second robot to a recipient container at the fourthlocation. The method can include removing the plurality of articles fromthe open transportation container at the fourth location. The method caninclude placing an additional article in the transportation container atthe second location, placing the transportation container in recipientpickup container at the second location, navigating a second robot fromthe fleet of robots to the second location, autonomously moving thetransportation container from the pickup container at the secondlocation to the transport container of the second robot, navigating thesecond robot over the outdoor transportation network from the secondlocation to a third location, and autonomously moving the transportationcontainer from the transport container of the second robot to arecipient container at the third location. The removing step can includeremoving the plurality of articles from the open transportationcontainer to create an empty transportation container, placing the emptytransportation container in the recipient container at the secondlocation, navigating a second robot from the fleet of robots to thesecond location, autonomously moving the empty transportation containerfrom the recipient container to the transport container of the secondrobot at the second location, navigating the second robot over theoutdoor transportation network from the second location to a thirdlocation, and removing the empty transportation container from thetransport container of the second robot at the third location for laterreuse. The removing step can include autonomously removing the emptytransportation container from the transport container of the secondrobot at the third location.

In one aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method isprovided that can include receiving a request from a buyer to purchase aproduct, the request including the location of the buyer, directing therequest to a plurality of vendors within a predetermined distance fromthe buyer for bidding, receiving a price quote from each of theplurality of vendors for the product, permitting the buyer to purchasethe product from one of the plurality of vendors, and directing a robotconfigured to travel on roads, bike paths and sidewalks to pick up theproduct at a first location associated with the selected one of theplurality of vendors.

The price quote can include an indicator of the distance of each of theplurality of vendors from the location of the buyer. The step ofreceiving a price quote can include receiving a confirmation from eachof the plurality of vendors that the product is in stock. The indicatorof the distance of each of the plurality of vendors from the location ofthe buyer can be selected from the group consisting of the location ofeach of the plurality of vendors and the distance of each of theplurality of vendors from the location of the buyer. The step ofdirecting the robot can include causing the robot to pick up the productfree of human assistance at the first location. The method can includenavigating the robot over an outdoor transportation network that caninclude roads, bike paths and sidewalks from the first location to asecond location associated with the buyer. The method can includecausing the robot to deliver the product free of human assistance at thesecond location. The method can include charging the buyer fordelivering the product at the second location. The charge to the buyercan be altered or increased as a function of demand for the product.

In one aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method fordelivering a purchased product with a robot is provided that can includereceiving a request from a buyer to purchase a product, directing therequest to a plurality of vendors of the product, receiving a responsefrom each of the plurality of vendors for the product, each responseincluding at least the price of the product, evaluating each responseagainst a plurality of features of each of the plurality of vendors,selecting the response from one of the plurality of vendors as afunction of the evaluating step and directing the robot to pick up theproduct from the one of the plurality of vendors of the selectedresponse.

The evaluating step can include evaluating each response against aplurality of features of the respective vendor using a rankingregression method to provide an aggregate value for each of therespective vendors. The selecting step can include selecting theresponse from one of the plurality of vendors as a function of theaggregate value for each of the plurality of vendors. The selecting stepcan include selecting the response from the one of the plurality ofvendors selected from the group consisting of vendor with the highestaggregate value and the vendor with the lowest aggregate value. Theranking regression method can include assigning a numerical value toeach of the plurality of features of the respective vendor, theaggregate value for the respective vendor being a function of thenumerical value of each of the features of the respective vendor. Theaggregate value for the respective vendor can be the sum of thenumerical values of each of the plurality of features of the respectivevendor. The numerical value can be a cost-based value. The rankingregression method can include training a neural network with a set ofexample vendors to provide a trained neural network and assigning anumerical value to each of the plurality of features of the respectivevendor, the aggregate value for the respective vendor being computed byapplying the trained neural network to the plurality of features of thevendor. The ranking regression method can include training a kernelmethod with a set of example vendors to provide a plurality of supportvectors and a weight for each of the plurality of support vectors andassigning a numerical value to each of the plurality of features of therespective vendor, the aggregate value for the respective vendor beingcomputed by applying the plurality of support vectors and the weights tothe plurality of features of the vendor. The ranking regression methodcan include training a decision tree with a set of example vendors toprovide a trained decision tree and assigning a numerical value for eachof the plurality of features, the aggregate value for the respectivevendor being computed by applying the trained decision tree to theplurality of features of the vendor. The plurality of features areselected from the group consisting of the price of the product, thespeed of the response from the vendor, a confirmation from the vendorthat the product is in stock, the distance from the product of thevendor to the buyer, an estimate of the travel time between the productof the vendor and the buyer, an estimate of the delivery time of theproduct to the buyer, the brand of the product of the vendor, the ratingof the vendor from previous buyers, the name of the vendor, the time topick up the product of the vendor by the robot, any combination of theforegoing and all of the foregoing.

In one aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method fordelivering a purchased product with one of a plurality of robots from afleet of robots is provided that can include receiving a request from abuyer to purchase a product, directing the request to at least onevendor of the product, receiving a response from the vendor, evaluatinga plurality of the robots for picking up the product against a pluralityof features of the plurality of robots, selecting one of the pluralityof robots as a function of the evaluating step and directing theselected one of the plurality of a robot to pick up the product from thevendor.

The evaluating step can include evaluating a plurality of the robots forpicking up the product against a plurality of features of the pluralityof robots using a ranking regression method to provide an aggregatevalue for each of the respective robots. The selecting step can includeselecting one of the plurality of robots as a function of the aggregatevalue for each of the plurality of robots. The ranking regression methodcan include a step selected from the group consisting of training aneural network, training a kernel method and training a decision tree.The plurality of features are selected from the group consisting of thedistance of a robot from the product of the vendor, the load capacity ofthe robot, the remaining battery life of the robot, the estimated traveltime of the robot to the product of the vendor, any combination of theforegoing and all of the foregoing.

In one aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method isprovided that includes receiving a request from a buyer to purchase aproduct, directing the request to a plurality of vendors of the product,receiving a reply from each of the plurality of vendors for the product,providing the buyer with a response that can include with respect toeach of the plurality of vendors the price of the product of the vendorand at least one product purchase factor selected from the groupconsisting of the distance of the product of the vendor from the buyer,an estimate of travel time between the product of the vendor and thebuyer, an estimate of the delivery time of the product to the buyer, thespeed of the response from the vendor, a confirmation from the vendorthat the product is in stock, a consumer rating of the vendor, the nameof the vendor, the brand of the product and the time to pick up theproduct of the vendor by a robot, permitting the buyer to select one ofthe plurality of vendors as a function of the price of the product andthe at least one product purchase factor and purchase the product fromthe selected one of the plurality of vendors, and directing the robot topick up the product from the selected one of the plurality of vendors.

The response can include at least two product purchase factors selectedfrom the group consisting of the distance of the product of the vendorfrom the buyer, an estimate of travel time between the product of thevendor and the buyer, an estimate of the delivery time of the product tothe buyer, the speed of the response from the vendor, a confirmationfrom the vendor that the product is in stock, a consumer rating of thevendor, the name of the vendor, the brand of the product and the time topick up the product of the vendor by a robot and the permitting step caninclude permitting the buyer to select one of the plurality of vendorsas a function of the price of the product and the at least two productpurchase factors. The response can include at least three productpurchase factors selected from the group consisting of the distance ofthe product of the vendor from the buyer, an estimate of travel timebetween the product of the vendor and the buyer, an estimate of thedelivery time of the product to the buyer, the speed of the responsefrom the vendor, a confirmation from the vendor that the product is instock, a consumer rating of the vendor, the name of the vendor, thebrand of the product and the time to pick up the product of the vendorby a robot and the permitting step can include permitting the buyer toselect one of the plurality of vendors as a function of the price of theproduct and the at least three product purchase factors. The method caninclude charging the buyer for the product. The method can includealtering the price of the product to the buyer as a function of thedemand for the product.

In one aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method isprovided that can include receiving a request from a user to deliver aproduct from a first location to a second location, the requestincluding a photo of the second location and an indicator on the photoidentifying a precise drop off location for the product, directing atleast one robot to pick up the product at the first location, navigatingthe at least one robot over an outdoor transportation network from thefirst location to the second location, and causing the at least onerobot to deliver the product to the drop off location.

The at least one robot can be configured to travel on roads, bike pathsand sidewalks and the outdoor transportation network can include roads,bike paths and sidewalks. The navigating step can include accessing avirtual map to chart a course over the outdoor transportation networkfrom the first location to the second location. The navigating step caninclude comparing terrain at the second location observed by the atleast one robot with the photo to enable the at least one robot todeliver the product to the drop off location. The at least one robot canhave at least one camera for observing terrain at the second location.The causing step can include causing the at least one robot to place theproduct on the ground at the drop off location. The causing step caninclude causing the at least one robot to remove the product from withinthe at least one robot for delivery to the drop off location. The atleast one robot can have a transport container for housing the productduring transport and the causing step can include causing the at leastone robot to open the transport container and remove the product fromthe container for delivery to the drop off location. The method caninclude causing the at least one robot to receive the product from apickup container free of human assistance at the first location. Thereceiving step can include purchasing the product by the user. Themethod can include charging the user for delivering the product to thedrop off location. The directing step can include directing a firstrobot to pick up the product at the first location, the navigating stepcan include navigating the first robot over an outdoor transportationnetwork from the first location to an intermediate location, causing thefirst robot to deliver the product free of human assistance to theintermediate location, causing a second robot to pick up the productfree of human assistance at the intermediate location and navigating thesecond robot over the outdoor transportation network from theintermediate location to the second location, and the second robot candeliver the product to the drop off location.

In one aspect of the invention, a non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium is provided that can store computer-executableinstructions to, display a photograph on a display, permit a user totouch the photograph on the display to identify a location on thephotograph and request a third party to deliver a product to thelocation identified on the photograph.

The computer-executable instructions can be configured to purchase theproduct from the third party. The computer-executable instructions canbe configured to operate on a smartphone and receive the photograph froma camera on the smartphone.

In one aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method isprovided that can include receiving a request from a user to deliver anarticle from a first location to a second location, the requestincluding an image of the second location and an indicator on the imageidentifying a precise delivery location for the article, providing athree-dimensional virtual model that can include the second location,registering the indicator on the image to a precise location on thethree-dimensional virtual model to obtain a three-dimensional deliverylocation, directing at least one robot to pick up the article at thefirst location, navigating the at least one robot over an outdoortransportation network from the first location to the second location,and causing the at least one robot to deliver the article free of humanassistance to the three-dimensional delivery location.

The three-dimensional delivery location can include three-dimensionalcoordinates of the delivery location. The registering step can includeregistering the image to the three-dimensional virtual model. Therequest can include a plurality of images, further comprising utilizingthe plurality of images in the creation of the three-dimensional virtualmodel. The plurality of images are a plurality of photographs. Theplurality of images can include a video. The method can includeobtaining a plurality of depth sensor signals of the second location andutilizing the plurality of depth sensor signals in the creation of thethree-dimensional virtual model. The request can include the pluralityof depth sensor signals. The image can be a photograph. The request caninclude a three-dimensional orientation associated with the image. Themethod can include touching a computer screen displaying the image tocreate the indicator on the image identifying the precise deliverylocation.

In one aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method isprovided that can include receiving a request from a user to deliver anarticle from a first location to a second location, the requestincluding a three-dimensional delivery location for the article,directing at least one robot to pick up the article at the firstlocation, navigating the at least one robot over an outdoortransportation network from the first location to the second location,and causing the at least one robot to deliver the article free of humanassistance to the three-dimensional delivery location.

The method can include providing a three-dimensional virtual model thatcan include the second location to the user and indicating on thethree-dimensional model the three-dimensional delivery location. Theindicating step can include touching a computer screen displaying thethree-dimensional virtual model to indicate the three-dimensionaldelivery location on the three-dimensional virtual model. The method caninclude utilizing a plurality of images of the second location providedby the user in the creation of the three-dimensional virtual model. Themethod can include utilizing a plurality of depth sensor signalsprovided by the user in the creation of the three-dimensional virtualmodel. The three-dimensional delivery location can includethree-dimensional coordinates of the delivery location.

In one aspect of the invention, a non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium is provided that can store computer-executableinstructions useable by a mobile computing device having a display to,permit a user of the device to display a three-dimensional virtual modelon the display, permit the user to touch the displayed three-dimensionalvirtual model to identify a three-dimensional delivery location of anarticle and request a third party to deliver an article to thethree-dimensional delivery location.

The computer-executable instructions can permit the user to purchase thearticle from the third party. The mobile computing device can beselected from the group consisting of a smartphone, a tablet, anotebook, a laptop, a watch, a mobile computer and a smart wearable itemwith a camera. The computer-executable instructions can permit the userto scan a location with a sensor of the device to produce thethree-dimensional virtual model. The sensor of the device can be acamera.

The foregoing methods of the invention do not require all of the stepsdisclosed or discussed herein. Methods of the invention can be providedthat include less than all or some of the steps disclosed herein orother or additional steps not disclosed herein. Steps of such methodsneed not be performed in the order disclosed herein, but instead can beperformed in any other or suitable order. Steps of one method of theinvention can be mixed or added to steps of other methods of theinvention.

I claim:
 1. A method for transporting a plurality of articles from afirst location to a second location, comprising: receiving atransportation container of a standardized size and shape and free of atop for being carried within a transport container of any of a pluralityof robots from a fleet of robots, each of the plurality of robots beingconfigured to travel along roads, bike paths and sidewalks and beingfree of a human driver compartment, placing the plurality of articles inthe transportation container, placing the transportation container at apickup location at the first location, navigating a first robot from thefleet of robots to the first location, autonomously moving thetransportation container from the pickup location to the transportcontainer of the first robot at the first location, navigating the firstrobot over an outdoor transportation network from the first location tothe second location, and autonomously moving the transportationcontainer from the transport container to a recipient location at thesecond location.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transportationcontainer is made from a material selected from the group consisting ofcardboard, paperboard, fiberboard, plastic and metal.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the transportation container has the shape of aparallelepiped.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the transportationcontainer has four interconnected side walls joined to a bottom wall. 5.The method of claim 1, wherein the step of autonomously moving thetransportation container from the pickup location to the transportcontainer includes autonomously picking the transportation container upoff the ground at the first location.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe pickup location is inside a pickup container and wherein the step ofautonomously moving the transportation container from the pickuplocation to the transport container includes autonomously moving thetransportation container from the pickup container to the transportcontainer.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of autonomouslymoving the transportation container from the transport container to therecipient location includes autonomously placing the transportationcontainer on the ground at the second location.
 8. The method of claim1, wherein the recipient location is inside a recipient container andwherein the step of autonomously moving the transportation containerfrom the transport container to the recipient location includesautonomously moving the transportation container from the transportcontainer to the recipient container.
 9. The method of claim 1, whereinthe transport container is a closeable transport container and whereineach of the autonomous moving steps includes autonomously opening thetransport container.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the transportcontainer has a transport mechanism for moving the transportationcontainer into and out from the transport container.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising receiving payment for the purchase of theplurality of articles.
 12. A method for transporting a plurality ofarticles from a first location to a second location, comprising:receiving an open transportation container of a standardized size andshape for being carried within a transport container of any of aplurality of robots from a fleet of robots, each of the plurality ofrobots being configured to travel along roads, bike paths and sidewalksand being free of a human driver compartment, placing the plurality ofarticles in the transportation container, placing the transportationcontainer in a pickup container at the first location, navigating afirst robot from the fleet of robots to the first location, autonomouslymoving the transportation container from the pickup container to thetransport container of the first robot at the first location, navigatingthe first robot over an outdoor transportation network from the firstlocation to the second location, and autonomously moving thetransportation container from the transport container to a recipientcontainer at the second location.
 13. The method of claim 12, whereinthe recipient container is a closeable recipient container and whereinthe step of autonomously moving the open transportation container fromthe transport container to the recipient container includes autonomouslyopening the recipient container.
 14. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising removing the plurality of articles from the opentransportation container.
 15. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising: receiving the open transportation container at a thirdlocation, placing a second plurality of articles in the transportationcontainer at the third location, placing the transportation container ina pickup container at the third location, navigating a second robot fromthe fleet of robots to the third location, autonomously moving thetransportation container from the pickup container to the transportcontainer of the second robot at the third location, navigating thesecond robot over the outdoor transportation network from the thirdlocation to a fourth location, and autonomously moving thetransportation container from the transport container of the secondrobot to a recipient container at the fourth location.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising removing the plurality of articles from theopen transportation container at the fourth location.
 17. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising: placing an additional article in thetransportation container at the second location, placing thetransportation container in a pickup container at the second location,navigating a second robot from the fleet of robots to the secondlocation, autonomously moving the transportation container from thepickup container at the second location to the transport container ofthe second robot, navigating the second robot over the outdoortransportation network from the second location to a third location, andautonomously moving the transportation container from the transportcontainer of the second robot to a recipient container at the thirdlocation.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the removing stepincludes: removing the plurality of articles from the opentransportation container to create an empty transportation container,placing the empty transportation container in the recipient container atthe second location, navigating a second robot from the fleet of robotsto the second location, autonomously moving the empty transportationcontainer from the recipient container to the transport container of thesecond robot at the second location, navigating the second robot overthe outdoor transportation network from the second location to a thirdlocation, and removing the empty transportation container from thetransport container of the second robot at the third location for laterreuse.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of removing theempty transportation container from the transport container of thesecond robot at the third location includes autonomously removing theempty transportation container from the transport container of thesecond robot at the third location.
 20. A method for transporting aplurality of articles from a first location to a second location,comprising: receiving one of a plurality of open transportationcontainers of a standardized size and shape for being carried within atransport container of any of a plurality of robots from a fleet ofrobots, each of the plurality of robots being configured to travel alongroads, bike paths and sidewalks and being free of a human drivercompartment, placing the plurality of articles in the transportationcontainer, placing the transportation container at a pickup location atthe first location, navigating a first robot from the fleet of robots tothe first location, autonomously moving the transportation containerfrom the pickup location to the transport container of the first robotat the first location, navigating the first robot over an outdoortransportation network from the first location to the second location,autonomously moving the transportation container from the transportcontainer to a recipient location at the second location, removing theplurality of articles from the transportation container, placing anadditional plurality of articles in the transportation container,placing the transportation container at a pickup location at a thirdlocation, navigating a second robot from the fleet of robots to thethird location, autonomously moving the transportation container fromthe pickup location to the transport container of the second robot atthe third location, navigating the second robot over the outdoortransportation network from the third location to a fourth location,autonomously moving the transportation container from the transportcontainer to a recipient location at the fourth location.
 21. The methodof claim 20, further comprising removing the additional plurality ofarticles from the open transportation container at the fourth location.22. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of autonomously moving theopen transportation container from the pickup location to the transportcontainer of the second robot at the third location includesautonomously picking the transportation container up off the ground atthe third location.
 23. The method of claim 20, wherein the pickuplocation at the third location is inside a pickup container and whereinthe step of autonomously moving the open transportation container fromthe pickup location to the transport container of the second robot atthe third location includes autonomously moving the transportationcontainer from the pickup container to the transport container at thethird location.
 24. The method of claim 20, wherein the step ofautonomously moving the open transportation container from the transportcontainer to the recipient location at the fourth location includesautonomously placing the transportation container on the ground at thefourth location.
 25. The method of claim 20, wherein the recipientlocation at the fourth location is inside a recipient container andwherein the step of autonomously moving the open transportationcontainer from the transport container to the recipient location at thefourth location includes autonomously moving the transportationcontainer from the transport container to the recipient container at thefourth location.